Biology Major Natasha Weiser '10 Named ASM Fellow

by Maki Somosot '12
9/24/2009

Natasha Weiser '10 is the recipient of an undergraduate fellowship from the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) under the nomination of Professor of Biology Amy Cheng Vollmer. The Fellowship is aimed at motivated undergraduate students intending to pursue graduate study in microbiology.

"In all my science courses at Swarthmore, I've had amazing professors who have encouraged my love of science," says Weiser, an Honors biology major and chemistry minor from Merion Station, Pa. "Based on my course work and research experience, I've decided to apply to MD-PhD programs in order to become a physician-scientist and use my scientific knowledge and research to advance our scientific understanding of disease."

Since May 2008, Weiser and Vollmer have collaborated on probing the regulatory function of Escherichia coli Universal Stress A protein in the overall stress response. "This research will be the basis for my Honors thesis," she says.

The fellowship guarantees Weiser a two-year student membership to the ASM, a $4000 student stipend, and $1000 as travel expenses to present the outcome of her research project at the ASM's general meeting in San Diego, Calif. "I'm really looking forward to the meeting and the opportunity to talk with microbiologists from all over the world about my project and to learn about the projects that these renowned scientists are working on," she says.

In addition to her research commitment, Weiser is also a Writing Associate and a volunteer emergency medical technician. She also coordinates the Science for Kids program, a weekly science program tailored for the Chester Children's Chorus.