Biology Major Plans to Pursue Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine
Biology major, Marisa Simon, was awarded a Goldwater Honorable Mention from the Goldwater
Foundation. Simon, a junior, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular medicine and specialize
in cancer research.
The Goldwater Foundation recognizes outstanding students in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. Nationwide 1,166 students were nominated by their colleges and universities. While 283 were chosen for the Goldwater Scholarship, another 247 received a Goldwater Honorable Mention.
鈥淒uring my career, I want to help devise new targeted therapies for cancer, confirm their safety for human use through clinical trials, and develop more effective preventative measures.鈥�
Her exposure to cancer research began at UH in the lab of Cecilia Williams, an assistant professor in UH鈥檚 Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling. The work is targeting the most severe subtype of breast cancer, called triple-negative breast cancer. Simon鈥檚 project is to validate a potential molecular target for the treatment of this type of cancer.
鈥淭he work that Dr. Williams and I are doing is what I perceive to be the future of personalized cancer therapy,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o far, there have been great successes with using protein-targeted therapies in clinical trials.鈥�
For Simon, strong mentors have been important to shaping her career plans.
鈥淜aren Weber in the Office of Undergraduate Research stimulated my initial involvement in research and really supported me in my career endeavors,鈥� she said. 鈥淒r. Williams is also a strong influence on me; I see how she manages her lab and how much effort she puts into education and research. It is really inspirational.鈥�
- Kathy Major, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics