Camarillo, Calif. Sept. 8 鈥� 91吃瓜 announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently honored Dr. Blake Gillespie, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, with the prestigious NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award.听
The award, a five-year, $920,552 grant in recognition of Gillespie鈥檚 teaching and research in protein-ligand interactions and biomolecular dynamics, is supported by funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Gillespie鈥檚 project, 鈥楤inding and Biomolecular Dynamics in Undergraduate Teaching and Research,鈥� examines how proteins are affected by other molecules they encounter in the cell.听 Gillespie explained that he was focused on the forces that make biological molecules function or malfunction, that make proteins fold and unfold. "Diseases like Alzheimer鈥檚 and Mad Cow are examples of proteins not folding properly. An understanding of this process will allow us to re-engineer biological molecules to do a better or different job,鈥� maintains Gillespie.
Gillespie鈥檚 lab deals with the fundamentals of molecular biophysics. Many of his experiments and research will be woven directly into the curriculum of several CI science courses.听 Dr. Gillespie鈥檚 award will provide the University鈥檚 students in regular classes with experiential learning opportunities and with actual research laboratory experiences that support the work of faculty researchers. The grant also provides summer research internships for designated groups of high school students and their science teachers.
鈥淪upport for stellar scientists like Dr. Gillespie is a wise investment at a time when funding to higher education is in jeopardy. I know that there will be substantial returns in terms of strengthening the educational pipeline for careers in the sciences and the potential to improve understanding and treatment of diseases,鈥� stated President Richard R. Rush.
Dr. Gillespie stated, 鈥淭his grant provides for students at so many levels: my own research assistants, every CI chemistry major, many biology majors, and high school students in our community.听 In the end, the project is really dedicated to providing opportunities for all of them.鈥�
For media inquiries contact Nancy Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands at 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.
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About 91吃瓜
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI鈥檚 strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master鈥檚 degrees.听Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting听CI's Social Media.