Applications for the 2018-19 Vera Fay Righthand Graduate Fellowship in Virology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine are being sought by Jan. 31.
Vera Fay Righthand, Ph.D., joined the Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Biochemistry (then the Department of Microbiology) in 1968. While at Wayne State University, Dr. Righthand maintained an active virological research program and trained numerous doctoral students in the field of virology. Among other honors, Dr. Righthand was elected fellow of the National Academy of Microbiology and received the Lawrence Weiner Award for her contributions to research, teaching and administration at the School of Medicine. She retired with emeritus status in 1998 after 31 years of service to the university. The Vera Fay Righthand Graduate Fellowship in Virology is made possible by a bequest made by Dr. Righthand.
The inaugural 2017-2018 Fellowship was shared by Ashley Anderson (Pellett lab) and Andrew Jerome (Suvas lab).
Award Information
Awards will be made to Wayne State University School of Medicine Ph.D. students working in the field of virology.
For the 2018-19 academic year, it is expected that one award of $50,000 will be made. However, the award committee may elect to make two awards of $25,000 each if justified by scientific merit and financial need.
Fellowship funds shall be used for student stipends, tuition, and medical, dental and vision insurance. Any residual funds may be used to support the scientific activities of the fellow. This includes travel to scientific meetings at which the fellow is making a presentation.
The application deadline for the 2018-2019 academic year award is 5 p.m. Jan. 31.
The award announcement will be made by Feb. 9.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Wayne State University School of Medicine Ph.D. students working in the field of virology. Use of conventional viral vectors for purposes such as modulation of gene expression does not qualify for the award.
Applicants must have completed the first year of their PhD program in good standing, and have begun research in their intended dissertation laboratory.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
A curriculum vitae
A one-page description of their doctoral research
A current Wayne State University transcript
A one-page letter from their doctoral advisor in support of their qualifications and financial need
A statement of good academic standing from their graduate program director
Conditions for Acceptance
Award recipients must have attained candidacy status prior to initiation of the award.
Award recipients must remain in good academic standing during the term of the award.
The award will be terminated if the fellow graduates during the fellowship period.
The award must be used during the period for which it is granted: the 2018-19 academic
year.
The fellow shall make a written report on his or her scientific activities to the chair of the fellowship committee within 90 days of termination of the fellowship.
Application Instructions
Send the complete set of required documents in PDF format to April Wolak (awola@med.wayne.edu; 313-577-1511) in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry office.
For questions, contact Thomas Holland, Ph.D., (thomas.holland@wayne.edu), chair of the Fellowship Committee.