Congratulations to Jill Dowen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Biology for her selection as a 2016 Sidney Kimmel Foundation Scholar in cancer research.
The Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research awards the Kimmel Scholar program to provide funding to the brightest young cancer researchers at the outset of their careers, creating the next generation in the fight against cancer. Annually, 15 of the nation’s most promising researchers receive the $200,000 Award, selected by a world class Medical Advisory Board. Those selected are chosen for demonstrating the greatest promise and innovation in their work, must be in the early stages of their research career, and have not progressed far enough to have received major grants from the National Cancer Institute or other funding sources.
Dr. Dowen’s research project is entitled “Role of long-range chromosomal interactions in cancer.” She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and joint in Biology. She is also a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Integrative Program for Biological & Genome Sciences. She completed her postdoctoral work with Dr. Rick Young at the Whitehead Institute at MIT and previously her graduate work at UC, San Diego with Dr. Richard Kolodner. Since joining UNC, Jill has been pursuing independent research that focuses on understanding how DNA loops between genes and their cis-regulatory elements control transcription. Her work will provide insight into the epigenetic mechanisms at play during gene control in development and disease. Her proposed study for the Kimmel will improve our understanding of the link between chromosome structure and the control of gene expression.
Kimmel Award Press Release: http://kimmel.org/kimmel-scholars/our-scholars/