We are pleased to announce that Anna Dobritsa has received one of our seven Women’s Young Investigator Travel Awards.
Anna is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Center for Applied Plant Sciences at Ohio State University. As an assistant professor, Anna works on understanding the mechanism for formation and patterning of exine, the extraordinary wall of pollen grains. Her research, so far, has led to important insights into the molecular mechanism of synthesis of sporopollenin (the material of exine) and in formation of a particular patterning element, the apertures, present on the surfaces of most pollen. As a result of her work, we now know the identity of several genes involved in exine development and can predict other candidates involved in this process. We also know some of the chemical reactions important for sporopollenin production.
About the 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.