Michael Tran Duong and Tiberiu Mihaila win Goldwater Scholarship

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University of Pennsylvania students Michael Tran Duong, class of 2019, and Tiberiu Mihaila, class of 2019, have been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship. Additionally, Congzhou Sha, class of 2018, has received an honorable mention from the Goldwater committee.

Michael Tran Duong (COL 2019) from Worcester, Pennsylvania, is studying biochemistry and biophysics. As a member of the 3D Epigenomes and Neurobiology lab of Dr. Jennifer Phillips-Cremins in the Department of Bioengineering and the Perelman School of Medicine, he investigates dynamic patterns of 3-dimensional genome folding in brain development and disease. Duong plans to become a physician-scientist researching the genetics and neuroimaging of Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration to develop better diagnostics and treatments for patients.

Tiberiu Mihaila (COL 2019) from Syracuse, NY, is studying Physics, Biophysics, and Biochemistry in the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program.  He is a member of Dr. E. James Petersson’s group, in the department of Chemistry, using fluorescence techniques to study protein misfolding and cellular pathology in Parkinson’s Disease model systems. Mihaila hopes to pursue an MD and a PhD, using biophysical and biochemical tools to elucidate neurodegenerative disease pathology and to develop treatments for these conditions.

The Goldwater Scholarship is a national competition to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics.  It awards 300 scholarships nationally to sophomores and juniors demonstrating excellence in science, engineering and mathematics and planning PhD study and careers in academic research.

More info about the scholarship

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