FOUR MACALESTER STUDENTS committed to science research careers will now get substantial financial support, thanks to a three-year $104,000 grant from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Those selected as Beckman Scholars will receive a stipend for two summers and one academic year, as well as funds for research supplies and travel to scientific meetings. The Beckman Foundation chose 12 colleges in the 2014 competition.

BenckCharles Benck ’15 (Minnetonka, Minn.) is Macalester’s first Beckman Scholar under this grant. He will work with his research mentor, biology professor Devavani Chatterjea, investigating immune cell dynamics in allergic skin lesions to better understand the interplay of chronic allergies and pain conditions.

Macalester’s Beckman Scholars will complete an honors thesis based on their research, present their findings at professional meetings, mentor younger Mac students interested in research, arrange to use resources at the University of Minnesota, and host a guest speaker at a departmental seminar.

SplanThe Beckman grant is an extraordinary opportunity for students planning research careers, says chemistry professor and program coordinator Kathryn Splan. “The science faculty is very excited to participate in a program that offers such a valuable experience to our students,” she says, “and we’re pleased that the strong tradition of undergraduate research at Macalester has been recognized by the Beckman Foundation.”

April 29 2014

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