A 2009 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Raymond W. Sarber Award is being presented to Travis D. Hull, an undergraduate student at Juniata College, Huntington, PA. This award recognizes students at the undergraduate and predoctoral levels for research excellence and potential. It is presented in honor of Raymond W. Sarber and his contributions to the growth and advancement of the ASM.
Mr. Hull has conducted independent research in the microbial genetics laboratory since 2006 where he has accomplished several things in the field of microbial development. His research has focused on the study of prokaryotic development, using transposon mutagenesis as a genetic tool in the model organism, Streptomyces coelicolor. He has characterized several interesting cell division and developmental mutations. Mr. Hull spent the summer of 2008 in the laboratory of Gregory Stahl at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital where he researched immunology and physiology using eukaryotic mouse models. He received an American Heart Association Undergraduate Summer Fellowship which provided extramural funding for his summer project.
He has recently completed his secondary applications for M.D./Ph.D. programs where he would like to pursue a career in infectious disease research and the medical profession.
The Raymond W. Sarber Award will be presented during the 109th General Meeting of the ASM, May 17-21, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ASM is the world's oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 43,000 members worldwide. ASM's mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health and economic and environmental well-being.