Sarah Slavoff, assistant professor of chemistry and molecular biophysics and biochemistry, and member of the Chemical Biology Institute, has been named a 2016 Searle Scholar.
Searle Scholars are early-career scientists selected for their potential to make significant contributions to chemical and biological research over the course of their careers. Slavoff’s research focuses on developing chemical and biological tools to study RNA and ribonucleoprotein particles.
“We offer our deepest thanks to the Searle Scholars Program for this tremendous honor, and to the Searle Family for their years of support of young scientists”, said Slavoff, who joined the Institute in 2014 following a postdoctoral appointment at Harvard.
The Chemical Biology Institute comprises five laboratories focused on discovering the science of molecules in the context of living systems and the application of these discoveries to problems in biology and medicine. All of the Institute’s junior faculty have now received this exclusive designation.
“I am delighted that Dr. Slavoff has received this important early career designation in recognition for her outstanding research,” said Scott Strobel, vice president for West Campus Planning and Program Development, and member of the Chemical Biology Institute.
“Each of these amazing young scientists is taking cutting-edge approaches to answer fundamental questions in chemistry and the biological and biomedical sciences,” said Dr. Doug Fambrough, Scientific Director of the Searle program. “They have thought deeply about how their discoveries might benefit “people-kind,” as one can even find reflected in the titles of some of their research projects. We expect great things to come from their work, and we are delighted to be able to give an early boost to their careers.”
Searle Scholars receive a three-year grant for $300,000, this year 15 scholars were chosen from 196 applicants representing 137 universities and research institutions. The Searle Scholars Program is funded through grants from the family trusts to the Chicago Community Trust and administered by Kinship Foundation, the private operating foundation that manages the institutional philanthropy of the Searle Family. Since its inception, 572 Scholars have been named and over $124 million has been awarded.