Santa Clara University

In January 2006 the Office of Fellowships announced the inauguration of two Provost Junior Research Fellowships for highly qualified rising juniors with promising research agendas. These summer research fellowships are intended to provide opportunities for significant independent research for students who wish to pursue graduate study and major nominated fellowships like the Marshall, Fulbright, Goldwater, Carnegie, or Truman. 

This year's award winners:

Allison Baker

Title of Proposed Research Project:

Identification and Analysis of LIN-31 Interacting Proteins in the Nematode C. elegans

Faculty Mentor for Proposed Research Project: Dr. Leilani Miller (Dept. of Biology)

Brief Description of Proposed Research Project:

Transcription factors are proteins involved in turning genes on and off, and they sometimes interact with other proteins in order to perform those functions. I will be using a powerful, high-throughput genetic screen in yeast to find proteins that interact with the transcription factor, LIN-31, which is involved in cell-fate determination in C. elegans.

Jessica Cassella

Title of Proposed Research Project:

The Invisible Influence: The Effect of Staff Members on Members of Congress

Faculty Mentor for Proposed Research Project: Professor Stephen Carroll (Dept. of English)

Brief Description of Proposed Research Projects:

This research project seeks to research the effect that staff members of members of Congress have on the decisions and decision-making process of their members of Congress.