The Victoria Finnerty Travel Award supports conference-attendance costs for undergraduate GSA members who are presenting research at the Annual Drosophila Research Conference. #Dros22 will be held in San Diego, CA and online from April 6–10, 2022.
Victoria Finnerty, who died in February 2011, was a long-time member of the Genetics Society of America and served the Drosophila community and the genetics community at large in many capacities. A wonderful geneticist, Vickie’s ground-breaking work as a graduate student used high-resolution recombination analysis to dissect gene structure. This set the stage for a 35-year career in which she excelled as a gifted teacher as well as research scientist. Vickie was also a wise and compassionate mentor and teacher for whom interactions with her students was a constant joy. She constantly sought new ways to engage undergraduates in their genetics courses and in research; this travel fellowship fund continues Vickie’s stellar example.
Saron Akalu, University of California, Berkeley
We characterize the timing and evolution of an apoptosis-inducing toxin gene’s horizontal transfer into an agriculturally destructive fruit fly lineage.
Paulo Belato, University of Connecticut
I investigate the changes of gene expression in a Drosophila melanogaster model system that carries B chromosomes.
Megan Butler, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
I study how an essential protein involved in human cancers might be recruited to its target locations via epigenetic (outside the DNA) changes.
Collin Louis, Grand Valley State University
My research is investigating whether expression of the Hdc (histidine decarboxylase) gene in specific regions can be regulated though the process of transcription initiation.
Gonzalo Nahim Morales Chaya, University of New Mexico
We explore the intrinsic mechanisms that regulate neuroblast identity through brain development.
Sherif Negm, University of Rochester
I study the evolutionary dynamics of complex satellite DNA.
Alani Perkin, Harris-Stowe State University
My research project in the Leal lab at Harris-Stowe State University is focused on understanding the mechanisms of pattern formation involved in the development of adult organs using the Drosophila imaginal eye disc as a simple model system.
Manisha Persaud, Rutgers University
My research investigates the features of the Drosophila oocyte-spindle that make it susceptible to segregation errors, specifically through the study of the Borealin protein in The Chromosome Passenger Complex.
Christopher Petit, Loyola University Chicago
I study the role of the protein CG4511 in the development of sperm (spermatogenesis) within the Drosophila melanogaster testis.
Heidi J. J. Pipkin, Bemidji State University
I study innovative high-resolution imaging method that creates standardized conditions facilitating the collection of reproducible, spatial, quantitative data from the eyes of D. melanogaster.
Caroline Pitton, Wesleyan University
My project uses RNA-Sequencing data to identify D. melanogaster genes that are significantly differentially expressed in response to the GeneSwitch GAL4 system.
Caroline Pritchard, Lehigh University
I study functions of ribosomal proteins (components of the protein-making machinery found in all cells) and how the loss of specific ribosomal proteins perturbs normal developmental processes in the fruit fly.
Shanzeh Sayied, Brown University
I am researching ALKBH8, a gene associated with intellectual disability, and how it affects learning and memory in Drosophila.
Joanatta Shapiro, Rutgers University
I am investigating the role of the ROD-ZW10-Zwilch complex in promoting accurate chromosome segregation during female Drosophila meiosis.
Sequioa Smith, Sam Houston State University
I discover and characterize new genes required for the fruit fly’s retinal development.
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University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species
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Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!
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The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle
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New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS
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Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome
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Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza
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A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense
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Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs
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GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics
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Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job
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Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor
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GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024
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In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation
Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…
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Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!
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Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024
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Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience
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Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky
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TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners
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Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards
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Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research
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Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo
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