7-10-08

Media Release

Gilbert Named a Runyon Fellow

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Sunny Gilbert, a postdoctoral research associate at Oregon State University, has been selected as a Damon Runyan Fellow for 2008 by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, one of 14 awards of its type to be made in the nation.

Gilbert, who is working with OSU professor James C. Carrington, uses a model of small RNA biogenesis in plants to study the basic mechanisms that govern the process of RNA silencing. Researchers believe this work will lead to new insights in the understanding of cancer biology.

This three-year award is made to outstanding postdoctoral scientists who conduct basic and translational cancer research across the United States, providing independent funding for innovative projects. This charitable foundation has committed more than $200 million to support the careers of cancer researchers since the program’s inception.