Bill Snyder
Howard Hughes Medical Institute selected Mariana Byndloss, PhD, DVM, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as one of the first Freeman Hrabowski Scholars.
HHMI, the nation’s largest private biomedical research institution, announced this year that approximately Launched a $1.5 billion scholarship program.
Up to 150 scholars will be selected over the next 20 years. They will each receive up to $8.6 million over 10 years to support their research and their “ability to create equitable and inclusive lab environments.” Byndloss is one of her first 31 scholars announced on May 9.
“Dr. Byndloss’s selection as an HHMI Scholar in a highly competitive national competition is testament to everything we know about the Marianas,” said VUMC’s Chief Scientific and Strategy Officer. Yes, said Dr. Jennifer Pietenpol, holder of the Brock Family Directorship in Career Development.
“Having seen her scientific progress at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, we knew she was a scientific leader with limitless potential to make groundbreaking discoveries that benefit humanity. “Her HHMI appointment as a Freeman Hrabowski Scholar is an acknowledgment of all of these things.”
“Mariana is a brilliant scientist and a dynamic personality. This award is well-deserved,” added Dr. Thomas Cech, Nobel Laureate and former HHMI President, member of the VUMC Biomedical Science Advisory Board. rice field.
Byndloss, who joined Vanderbilt University in 2018, describes how inflammation, diet, antibiotics, and other environmental factors disrupt the microbial community, also known as the ‘microbiome’, that inhabits the large intestine, thereby We are investigating whether it increases the risk of rectal cancer. Cardiovascular disease, childhood obesity, and other disorders.
She is co-director of the Vanderbilt Microbiome Innovation Center. It is a campus-wide effort to advance microbiome science, therapeutics, education, and policy through research, training, and general education activities.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as an HMMI Freeman Hrabowksi Scholar,” said Bindros. “Support from HHMI will allow us to not only conduct groundbreaking and impactful research, but also continue to mentor a diverse group of talented young scientists.”
Byndloss holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and a PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in his native Brazil. Prior to her arrival at Vanderbilt University, she completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Davis.
She has co-authored over 70 scientific publications, some of which have appeared in impactful journals such as: chemistry and NatureIn 2021 and 2022, she was recognized as a ‘Highly Cited Author’ by global analytics firm Clarivate.
In 2020, Byndloss is awarded a two-year, $200,000 V Scholar Award from the V Foundation for Cancer Research to support research on the links between obesity, the gut microbiome, and colorectal cancer. was awarded.
She was the first NOSTER & finalist. chemistry Microbiome Awards sponsored by NOSTER, a new brand of pharmaceutical and nutritional products, and the journal chemistry Awarding groundbreaking microbiome research by young researchers.
Last year, Byndloss was named a Pew Scholar of Biomedical Sciences by the Pew Charitable Trusts. According to Pew’s website, the foundation funds young researchers who “have outstanding potential in science relevant to improving human health.”
HHMI’s Scholars Program is funded by Freeman A. Hrabowski III, former president of the University of Maryland in Baltimore County and a leading advocate for increasing the number of scientists, engineers, and physicians from underrepresented minority backgrounds. , named after PhD.
“For academic science to thrive in an increasingly diverse world, we need to attract and support scientists of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds,” said Dr. Erin O’Shea, President of HHMI. said in the program announcement. “Early-career faculty play an important role because they are future leaders.”