(Posted September 21, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Lindsey Draper, a senior from Mt. Airy, Md. studying biology, received a $1,000 grant-in-aid of research from the National Academy of Sciences, administered by Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, to purchase fluorescent labels to examine the patterns of chromosome localization in novel mutants that were identified in genetic screens as possessing chromosome segregation defects.

Draper, the daughter of Randal and Denise Draper of Mt. Airy, is collaborating on a research project with Jennifer Bennett, von Liebig Fellow in Biology at Juniata College, which seeks to determine where the ends of certain chromosomes in the Streptomyces cell are located in relationship to each dividing cell. Learning more about segregation of chromosomes during cell division may provide information for developing drugs to target disease-causing microbes.

In addition to her grant, Draper also earned an Honorable Mention as a candidate for the 2008-2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships.

Draper also is vice president of Juniata's chapter of Health Occupations Students of America and currently is studying abroad in Spain. After graduation, she will serve a research internship at the National Institutes of Health.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.