Los Angeles, CA. July 28 2008: The W.M.Keck Foundation, a leading supporter of pioneering medical research, science and engineering, today announced its 2008 class of Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research and Research Excellence Awardees.
Robert A. Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "Now in its tenth year, our Young Scholars program helps to promote the early career development of some of the country's most promising biomedical scientists.
"Over the past decade, Keck Young Scholars have consistently produced high-impact research and have advanced to become some of the most prominent scientists in their respective fields.We are proud to have helped jump-start the careers of some of our nation's research leaders and are very pleased to support a new group of young scholars who we believe have the same potential."
Under the Young Scholars program, each grant recipient's sponsoring institution receives an award of up to $1 million to support the scientist's research activities for a period of up to five years. Since its inception in 1998, the Young Scholars program has awarded 49 grants at leading research universities and institutions.
Each applicant was nominated by his or her academic institution and then evaluated individually by the Foundation's Medical Research staff and an advisory committee of outside scientific experts. The committee carefully evaluated each of the finalists and recommended the ten recipients, who were unanimously approved by the Foundation's Board of Directors.
The Foundation also recognizes the achievement of five additional young scientists with Research Excellence grants of $25,000.
Members of the 2008 class of Distinguished Young Scholars are:
The Foundation is also pleased to recognize the achievements of its 2008 W.M.Keck Research Excellence Awardees:
For more information on the W.M.Keck Foundation, please visit the website: www.wmkeck.org .