Heather Wright is the recipient of an National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ruth L Kirschstein Predoctoral National Research Service Award (F31). The purpose of the F31 award is to enable promising graduate students to obtain individualized research training from faculty sponsors while conducting their own dissertation research. The proposed research should enhance the student’s potential to develop into a productive independent research scientist.

Ms. Wright works in the laboratory of professor Olga Razorenova in the department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Her project seeks to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting a cell membrane protein for the treatment of breast cancer. The award will help Heather complete her thesis project, and provide her with additional training opportunity during her development into an independent scientist.