BETHESDA, Md. (October 27, 2005) -- Since 1966, the American Physiological Society (APS) has awarded its Porter Physiology Fellowship to historically underrepresented minorities in science to encourage diversity among students pursuing full-time studies toward a Ph.D. in the discipline of physiology. This year, nine outstanding students have been awarded the one-year fellowship that provides each winner with an $18,000 stipend. *Three of this year's winners are receiving a second-year fellowship. To date, the APS has provided more than 100 fellowships to minority pre- and postdoctoral students.

2005-2006 APS Porter Physiology Fellows:

Andrew J. Clark University of California, Irvine

Hagfish lack jaws and use non-collagenous cartilages as supporting elements for a feeding apparatus very different from vertebrate jaws. Mr. Clark is investigating the kinematics and muscle activity patterns of the hagfish feeding apparatus and the material properties of hagfish cartilages. This research will determine the functional limitations of lacking jaws and provide some insight into the evolution of vertebrate jaws.

*Jessica Clark University of Arizona

The focus of Ms. Clark's research is epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its role in protecting the intestine against a disease that affects premature babies, called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Her lab has shown that supplementing EGF into infant formula reduces the incidence and severity of NEC in neonatal rats. There is currently no preventative treatment for NEC, so by better understanding the mechanisms of how EGF protects the intestine, this research may provide the basis for future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of human NEC.

*Damon Jacobs University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Secretion of enzymes and fluid is the primary function in many glands in the human body. Mr. Jacob's research is focused on the function of Myo
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27-Oct-2005

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