HomepageBiochemistry and Molecular BiologyKailey Martin and Emily Cid Win Commencement Awards

Kailey Martin and Emily Cid Win Commencement Awards

Each year, the BCMB program awards two seniors with a prize and a certificate for each of two awards: the Outstanding Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Award and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Service Award. This year, the awards go to the following students:

 

Outstanding Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Student Award – Kailey Martin

Kailey Martin has been truly outstanding as a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major. As Dr. Samantha Wilner, Kailey’s research mentor, said: “Kailey is truly a bright light in the BCMB department. She is an excellent student, a fabulous scientist, and a constant source of optimism. Notably, Kailey exhibits a persistent curiosity and excitement for all things science”. Kailey joined Dr. Wilner’s Lab in Fall 2019, where she worked on synthesizing amphipathic DNA molecules. Kailey has also been a caring biology tutor and Resident Assistant, and is a varsity athlete in softball.

About her award, Kailey said: “It has been an immense honor being part of this outstanding program and I owe so much of my success to my amazing BCMB professors and mentors. I would not be where I am now without all the faculty’s help and support. Thank you all for lighting my path and giving me the tools I need to succeed on my future path of life! Shout out to Dr. Wilner for being such a fantastic teacher, leader, and friend. Forever grateful to be a part of the UC BCMB family!”

Kailey plans to travel this summer and to seek a position in research or drug development in the fall. Dr. Wilner speaks for us all in saying: “Congratulations on this well-deserved award!”

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Service Award – Emily Cid

Emily, also an exemplary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major and Spanish minor, has done much to promote the BCMB major to current and prospective students. Quite simply, Emily has done everything! Emily is a Bonner Leader and a Parlee Center Fellow. She has done research in Dr. Mark Ellison’s and Dr. Rebecca Roberts’ lab, and was a co-author of the paper “Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Nanographene Oxide to Overcome Antibiotic Resistance in Tetracycline-Resistant Escherichia coli” (Carver et al. ACS Applied Nano Materials 2020 3: 3910-3921). Emily is the president of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students chapter at Ursinus, and organized and hosted a successful and well-attended alumni career panel in March 2021. She has tutored students in Biology and Chemistry, and won a Biology department award as the Outstanding Teaching Assistant.

About her award, Emily said: “I really appreciate all of the support that the BCMB department has shown me.” Emily has always been there for the BCMB community, in all kinds of ways, and is greatly deserving of this award. Emily will be working as a Research Technician in Dr. Rodney Camire’s lab in the Division of Hematology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia following graduation.

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