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Students awarded HHMI Gilliam Fellowships
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raduate students Christina Roman and DeQuantarius (DJ) Speed have been awarded 2017 Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study to support their commitment to ensuring diversity in the sciences, especially in academia. Roman is studying biochemistry and molecular biophysics with an emphasis on protein engineering and RNA structure. Speed, a student in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, investigates plant defense responses, specifically how plants mobilize immune signals. The Gilliam Fellowship, a program of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), “facilitates an environment that supports growth of the fellows’ research and professional skills.” The scholars’ shared mission is to remove the obstacles — through institutional change and cultural reform — that prevent minorities from integrating into STEM.
Roman and Speed have both been active in the newly founded and student-led Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT) as well as the UChicago chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Roman has traveled on behalf of the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs to help recruit diverse students to science programs at the University. Speed recently organized a student and faculty-led panel for UChicago undergraduates focused on applying to and attending graduate programs in science. Gilliam Fellows receive an annual award totaling $46,000 for up to three years. In addition, each student’s advisor will participate in a year of mentoring development activities. HHMI awarded 39 Gilliam Fellowships nationwide this year. Roman and Speed were the only two recipients from Chicago.
Christina Roman
DJ Speed PHOTO BY EDDIE QUINONES
SACNAS regional conference Graduate student DeQuantarius Speed, right, moderates a panel discussion, “Grad Student Real Talk,” with Stephanie Baumgart, left, Marites Villarosa Garcia and Cody Hernandez. The University of Chicago chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) hosted its first SACNAS regional conference in May.
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Jabri, MacLean receive teaching excellence awards were honored this year with University of Chicago awards for excellence in teaching and mentoring. Bana Jabri, MD, PhD, professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Medicine, is one of four recipients of the Llewellyn John and Harriet Manchester Quantrell Award, believed to be the nation’s oldest prize for undergraduate teaching. Jabri’s courses in immunology and immunopathology not only convey fundamental concepts to students but also instill confidence that they can contribute novel ideas to the field. Neurobiologist Jason MacLean, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology and the College, is a recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Mentoring. MacLean’s commitment to rigorous examination of neuroscience research provides students with essential critical thinking skills as they pursue their careers.
uchospitals.edu/midway
“One thing they learn — and absolutely key for me that they take out of class — is that however young, one can have an outstanding idea.” Bana Jabri, MD, PhD Professor of medicine and pediatrics
PHOTOS BY JEAN LACHAT
Two Biological Sciences Division faculty members
MEDICINE ON THE MIDWAY
FALL 2017
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