Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Sevinc Ercan wins Prestigious March of Dimes Award
Dr. Sevinc Ercan (left), assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, was awarded a prestigious 2012 Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards by the March of Dimes Foundation. The award supports young and innovative scientists just embarking on their independent research careers, and provides funding to young investigators to start their own research projects on topics related to the March of Dimes mission.
Dr. Ercan was awarded for a project on chromosome condensation and segregation and determining the mechanisms that target condensins to chromosomes in the model nematode species C. elegans. The study will lead to a better understanding of cell division, and provide clues to possible mistakes that can lead to birth defects.
The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and today supports research to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant morality.