Lawrence was named a Searle Scholar today. His award will support the lab’s work on developing approaches to control bacterial communities in humans. Many thanks to the Searle Scholars Program for their support!
From the Program’s Press Release:
April 13, 2015: Chicago, Illinois – Fifteen young scientists in the chemical and biological sciences have been named 2015 Searle Scholars. Each researcher will be awarded $300,000 in flexible funding to support his or her work during the next three years.
Since the program’s inception in 1980, 542 Searle Scholars have shared $115,620,000 in funding. This year, 186 applications were considered from recently appointed assistant professors, nominated by 126 universities and research institutions.
The 2015 Searle Scholars have already demonstrated innovative research and were selected due to their potential for making significant contributions to chemical and biological research over the course of their careers.
“Each of these bold and talented young scientists has opened up novel approaches to answer fundamental questions in biology and the biomedical sciences,” said Dr. Doug Fambrough, Scientific Director. “In addition, they have all thought deeply about how their work might address major human burdens such as cancer, autoimmunity, and autism. We are delighted to be able to give an early boost to their careers.”
Searle Scholars are selected by a Scientific Advisory Board comprising 12 scientists distinguished for their research and leadership across a wide range of fields.
“It is a great honor to chair the Searle Scholars Advisory Board,” said Advisory Board Chair Dr. Mitch Lazar. “Institutions from all over the United States put up their most promising young scientists, and the board has the difficult task of selecting the 15 winners. The Advisory Board comprises a world class group of accomplished senior scientists with the breadth and depth of expertise needed to evaluate the exciting, cutting edge applications we receive.”
The funds that support the awards come from trusts established under the wills of John G. and Frances C. Searle. Mr. Searle was President of G.D. Searle & Co., of Skokie, Illinois, a research-based pharmaceutical company. Mr. and Mrs. Searle expressed the wish that some of the proceeds of their estates be used for the support of research in medicine, chemistry, and the biological sciences.
In 1980, members of the Searle family acting as Consultants to the Trustees of the Trusts established under the wills of Mr. & Mrs. John G. Searle recommended the development of a program to support young biomedical scientists. This idea evolved into the Searle Scholars Program which is funded through grants from the family trusts to the Chicago Community Trust and administered by Kinship Foundation in Chicago, Illinois.