Drezek, the Stanley C. Moore Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, conducts translational biomedical research at the interface between nanobiotechnology and biophotonics. In particular, her laboratory is developing new imaging technologies for improved detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer.
"Dr. Drezek is an extremely talented and creative scientist, and I am pleased that she has been recognized by the Beckman Foundation," said Jennifer West, director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Cameron Professor of Bioengineering and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. "The discretionary money that accompanies a prestigious award like the Beckman Young Investigator Program is extremely important for young faculty who are establishing research programs. But awards of this caliber provide more than just money, they also validate new ideas and serve as a stamp of approval for senior colleagues both within and outside Rice."
Drezek's award comes with a three-year $264,000 grant.
"Beckman awards provide unusually flexible research support because the foundation does not require a budget at the time of proposal submission," said Drezek. Her Beckman research will focus on development of novel optical molecular imaging technologies for the early detection of cancer. The optical imaging methods she is developing use a combination of visible and near infrared (NIR) light and targeted nanoparticle contrast agents. The project includes development of imaging instrumentation and fiber optic probes, optical contrast agents
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Contact: Jade Boyd
jadeboyd@rice.edu
713-348-6778
Rice University
31-Mar-2005