Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellowship: Bridging The Gap Between The Lab Bench and Informal Science Education using Venomous Molluscs

曼德·霍尔福德，犹他大学，2006-2007学年和2007-2008学年探索团队博士后研究员。霍尔福德计划研究海洋无脊椎动物--锥螺和金枪鱼--的化学毒素和分子系统学。她将与一个国际专家团队合作，识别新的蜗牛及其毒素。这些基于多肽的毒素将被化学拴在离子通道附近，以探索其作用机制。霍尔福德还将与犹他州自然历史博物馆合作，开发关于锥形蜗牛和斑鳖生物多样性及其毒素的化学生物学的教育项目和展览。探索军团的博士后奖学金由化学部、国际科学与工程办公室和多学科活动办公室提供支持。探索军团奖学金计划是一个试点计划，寻求将研究专业知识与专业服务相结合的新的博士后和专业发展模式。探索兵团研究员通过解决国家需求领域的项目来利用他们的研究专长。他们的项目增强了研究能力和基础设施，并有助于劳动力发展和创造就业机会。探索团队计划同时支持博士后研究员和高级研究员。该奖项是与国际研究奖学金计划共同管理的。

Mande Holford, University of Utah, is a Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellow for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 academic years. Holford plans to investigate the chemical toxins and molecular systematics of marine invertebrates- cone snails and turrids. She will work with an international team of experts to identify new snails and their toxins. The peptide-based toxins will be chemically tethered in proximity to an ion channel to explore the mechanism of function. Holford will also collaborate with the Utah Museum of Natural History to develop educational programs and exhibition pieces on cone snail and turrid biodiversity and the chemical biology of their toxins. This Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellowship is supported by the Division of Chemistry, the Office of International Science and Engineering, and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities. The Discovery Corps Fellowship Program is a pilot program seeking new postdoctoral and professional development models that combine research expertise with professional service. Discovery Corps Fellows leverage their research expertise through projects that address areas of national need. Their projects enhance research capacity and infrastructure and contribute to workforce development and job creation. The Discovery Corps Program supports both Postdoctoral Fellows and Senior Fellows. This award is managed jointly with the International Research Fellowship Program.