Why Haverford Sciences are phenomenal: Part 12(?)

HC_Alum
Sat, 15 May 2010 11:48:42 +0000

[UCSF: Synapse: Current Issue](http://synapse.ucsf.edu/articles/2010/May/6/grant.html)

UCSF Grad Student Wins Big Grant
By Sachi Jain
Staff Writer

Melanie H. Smith, a UCSF MD/PhD student in the Biophysics Graduate Program, is one of fifteen recipients of the prestigious Hertz Foundation Award this year. Valued at over $250,000, the fellowship is the nation’s most generous award for young leaders and innovators pursuing graduate studies in the fields of applied science and engineering.

Melanie has finished her first two years of medical school and is currently in her first year of the Biophysics PhD program, conducting research in the Weissman lab at Mission Bay. Synapse talked with Melanie about her scientific background, the rigorous application process for the Hertz Fellowship, and advice she has for students applying for awards.

When did you first become interested in science?
I had an amazing biology teacher in high school. He was a very animated person, and he had a wealth of knowledge. Two friends and I TA’d for him, and one time we somehow convinced him to buy us a gel electrophoresis kit to run experiments. He would also bring in animals for us to dissect, some of which I’m sure were roadkill.

What kind of research experience did you have prior to winning the Hertz Fellowship?
I went into my undergraduate program at Haverford College thinking that I would study biology, since the school is known for its molecular biology department. But after taking more chemistry classes, I became interested in biochemistry – specifically, protein chemistry – and started a protein aggregation project. Towards my senior year, I realized that many of the scientific questions I wanted to answer were better tackled through biophysics rather than molecular biology. After college, I followed my interest in biophysics with a year-long research project using protein NMR in Sweden, funded by a Fullbright scholarship…