Perla Giles, an upcoming senior specializing in molecular microbiology, and David Lee, an upcoming senior focusing on chemistry, both within the Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, have been selected to take part in the Beckman Scholars Program. Established by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, the initiative aims to offer “in-depth, sustained undergraduate research experiences for exceptionally gifted, full-time undergraduate scholars.”

Both Giles and Lee will receive $21,000 to help with expenses related to research materials, travel to conferences, and a student stipend. Mentors assigned to each student will also be awarded $5,000.

Giles is engaged in a project aimed at creating an RNA editing instrument utilizing the innovative CRISPR-Cas13 technology. Her objective is to refine this instrument to target the viral RNA of significant human pathogens like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Lee’s research concentrates on apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a protein associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. His focus is on deciphering how a specific sequence of ApoE4 influences its performance and how ApoE interacts with other proteins related to Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information about this year’s awardees, please visit the Ampersand website.

The article Two students named Beckman Scholars first appeared on The Source.