Yale College senior Margaret Sarah Ebert is one of 11 students nationwide who were selected to receive a prestigious Churchill Scholarship to study at Cambridge University next year.
Ebert is majoring in molecular, cellular and developmental biology with a focus on biotechnology. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she is editor-in-chief of the publication "Yale Scientific," and is a lead cellist in the Yale Symphony Orchestra.
As an undergraduate, Ebert has been active in a research team studying ways to modify a certain type of RNA. At Cambridge, Ebert will be doing research in protein and nucleic acid chemistry under Dr. Andrew Griffiths, which is a natural extension of her work at Yale.
Describing the research she will do at Cambridge as "directed evolution," she explains that its purpose is to create an environment where molecules compete for "survival of the fittest."
"The idea of mimicking Darwinian evolution in a test tube" has many potential applications, she says. These include developing and testing new drugs to target specific biological molecules and furthering scientific understanding of "how the structure of a certain protein determines its function."
The Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarships support one year of graduate study at Churchill College, Cambridge, in engineering, mathematics or the sciences. The award provides payment of all university and college tuition and fees at Cambridge, as well as living and travel expenses.
T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Yale Community Unites in Grief For Victims of Tragic Accident
IN MEMORIAM
Talks, performances to mark Black History Month
Yale experts offer insights on ethical globalization
Senior to study 'directed evolution' at Cambridge as Churchill Scholar
IN FOCUS: Yale-China AIDS Education Program
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology faculty honored
News executive to discuss impact of 'One Hand Zapping'
Art gallery's history is showcased in new exhibit
Library exhibit highlights the peace movement
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS
English department to present staged reading of Byron drama
Dr. Stephen Fleck, noted for research on schizophrenia, dies
Conference to focus on the people and politics of the Balkan region
'Public service in Hong Kong' to be highlighted in symposium
Jonathan Spence elected president of American Historical Association
Upcoming CPTV program on the slave trade filmed during Yale event
Salute to King
Yale Books in Brief
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page