We are pleased to announce that Lucia Strader has received one of our seven Women’s Young Investigator Travel Awards.
Lucia Strader is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Washington University in St.Louis. Her professional obligations include teaching, university service, and service to the greater scientific community. At Washington University, she developed an inquiry-based laboratory for undergraduates, which allows for a semi-independent research experience for students to study peroxisomal processes in yeast and Physcomitrella patens. Lucia’s university service includes serving on the Plant Biology Graduate Admissions Committee (2011-2014), Plant Biology Faculty Search Committee (2013-2014), Microbiology Faculty Search Committee (2012-2013), Mentor Connections (2012), Plant Biology Program Retreat Co-organizer (2012-2014), and Spector Prize Committee (2012-2014). In addition, she co-organizes the Local Auxin Biology Meeting, held in June of each year, with participating labs from 7 institutions.
Women’s Young Investigator Travel Award:
Each year the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) awards travel grants to early career women investigators through a competitive process to attend the Plant Biology Annual Meeting. The goal of the Women’s Young Investigator Travel Award (WYITA) program is to increase attendance of female investigators in their first five years as an independent scientist in academia, industry, or government at the annual meeting by providing travel funds. Selection is based first on the science and quality of the abstract submitted relative to the amount of time as a young investigator, second on a statement describing why travel should be supported, and third on financial need.
This year seven women were selected and each will receive a $1000 award to attend the Plant Biology Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN.