|
MELANIE SMITH '06 WINS FULBRIGHT
SCHOLARSHIP
Melanie Smith '06, a biology major with a biochemistry
concentration from Seattle, won one of four Fulbright Scholarships
received by Haverford graduates this year. It's a full scholarship,
which means she'll be funded for 10 months, without the teaching
obligation that some winners have. She'll be researching at the
University of Lund in Sweden, "just across from Copenhagen,"
Smith laughs. "I'll have some time to see a little of Europe."
While here, Smith worked largely with Associate Professor
of Biology Rob Fairman in the biology department, researching protein
folding and misfolding in the brain—neurogenerative disorders
in which cell cycles go wrong and protein "misfolding"
occurs. It's a process not unlike Alzheimer's Disease, where unnecessary
"laps" or layers of cellular matter produce irregularly
convoluted matter that interfere with normal mental processes. New
shapes are formed that serve as "blocks." By using resonance
imaging, Smith and Fairman are able to study the process as it occurs,
searching for ways to interfere with the misfolding process. Current
drug therapies work on a hit or miss basis, but close study of the
disorder may show ways to break the "misfolding" process
directly and stop the cycle. Metal ions are involved.
Smith said that as anyone can, she applied for her
Fulbright last October, through Associate Dean of the College and
Director of Academic Resources Philip A. Bean, who recognized her
outstanding academic record and passed her on to U.S. selectors.
They in turn contacted the University of Lund, and she was accepted
on the full scholarship. One of her collaborators in Sweden will
be the well-known chemistry researcher and Associate Professor of
Chesmistry Karin Åkerfeldt.
"What did I think of my years at Haverford?"
Ms. Smith smiled. "I loved it in so many ways. The quality
of academics here is just great."
— John Lombardi
|
