2009 Young Scholars

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, WA
Dr. Wenying Shou

To study an engineered cooperative system of single-celled organisms to determine how such a system evolves to resist “cheaters” using both qualitative and quantitative analysis and game theory.  This will provide insight into how human health can be compromised by cheaters such as cancer cells and infecting pathogens.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
Dr. J. Christopher Love

To study how the human immune system responds initially to HIV using microtechnologies that allow study at the single-cell level.  This work may help researchers realize new treatments for HIV/AIDS and eventually other diseases through rational design of immunotherapies and vaccines.

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Dr. Jason Brickner

To define the molecular mechanisms that control the spatial organization of the genome and determine the role of such organization in regulating gene expression.   This will help explain how gene expression is regulated, and how it might be reprogrammed to intervene in genetic and complex diseases.

Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Dr. Chang-Zheng Chen

To elucidate the regulatory information encoded in an abundant class of noncoding RNA genes, called microRNA genes.  This work may lead to novel therapeutics for diseases including autoimmune disorders and cancer.

University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Dr. Nevan Krogan

To explore a global systems approach to studying host-pathogen interactions.  Dr. Krogan will employ unbiased, systematic genetic and biochemical approaches to study how the pathogenic organisms HIV and TB hijack human cellular pathways.