Nine early career researchers awarded for research presented at fruit fly conference

BETHESDA, MD - The Genetics Society of America (GSA) and the Drosophila research community are pleased to announce the winners of the GSA poster awards at the 56th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, which took place in Chicago, IL, March 4-8, 2015. The awards were made to undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scientists in recognition of the research they presented at the conference. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most versatile and widely used model organisms applied to the study of genetics, physiology, and evolution--and is an effective system for studying a range of human genetics diseases.

"These early career scientists are already making substantive contributions to our field," said Adam P. Fagen, PhD, GSA's Executive Director. "Conference attendees had the opportunity to learn about some exciting research advancements from these talented scientists."

Over 1,500 researchers attended the meeting, and the winning posters were selected by a panel of leading Drosophila researchers.

The winners of the 56th Annual Drosophila Research Conference GSA Poster Awards are:

Undergraduate winners

FIRST PLACE

Jonathan Cohen, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA Poster title: "The microbiota induces Pvf2 to activate the antiviral ERK pathway in the Drosophila gut." Advisor: Sara Cherry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

SECOND PLACE

Ashley Kline, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN Poster Title: "Characterizing a Role for the Misshapen Kinase in Growth of the Germline Ring Canals in the Developing Egg Chamber." Advisor: Lindsay Lewellyn

THIRD PLACE

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Nine early career researchers awarded for research presented at fruit fly conference