PULLMAN, Wash. Washington State University microbiology major Kristen Sukraw has received an Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). She will be working on a food-borne organism found frequently in undercooked chicken that causes gastrointestinal illness in millions of people worldwide every year.
Sukraw, a junior from Chehalis, will spend the summer doing research in the laboratory of Professor Michael Konkel in the School of Molecular Biosciences. She has worked in his lab since fall 2007. Washington State University microbiology major Kristen Sukraw has received an Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). She will be working on a food-borne organism found frequently in undercooked chicken that causes gastrointestinal illness in millions of people worldwide every year.
Sukraw, a junior from Chehalis, will spend the summer doing research in the laboratory of Professor Michael Konkel in the School of Molecular Biosciences. She has worked in his lab since fall 2007.
“Kristen is an excellent student. I am very pleased that she received the award from the ASM, and am convinced that she will make a significant contribution to my lab’s research,” said Konkel, who helped Sukraw win this honor with his support and assistance in the application process.
“This is a highly selective national program. Kristen successfully competed against students from other major research universities and medical schools,” said Mary Sanchez-Lanier, associate dean of the College of Sciences. Sanchez-Lanier also noted that only about 20 percent of students who apply are chosen. These fellowships are for students who wish to pursue graduate careers in microbiology and are only awarded “to the best and the brightest rising young scientists” from across the country according to the ASM Web site.
Sukraw will receive $2,500 to support her while she works this summer and up to another $1,000 in travel funds. As part of her fellowship, she will prepare an abstract and travel to the ASM National Meeting in Philadelphia to present the results of her work in May 2009. Sukraw will also get a two-year ASM student membership, which entitles her to career assistance and access to online scientific journals published by the society.
