Assistant Professor of Chemistry Christina Vizcarra has won the 2019 Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.
Vizcarra is being recognized by the RCSA as a leader in integrating science teaching and research at a top U.S. research university or a primarily undergraduate institution, and becomes one of a couple dozen leading scientists who will receive $100,000. Vizcarra is being awarded for her work entitled, “Small Molecule Inhibition of Formin Proteins: Specificity and Mechanisms of Action.”
According to RCSA President and CEO Daniel Linzer, “The Cottrell Scholar (CS) program champions the very best early career teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy by providing these significant discretionary awards.” This year’s Cottrell Scholar Conference will be held July 10-12 in Tucson, Arizona.
"Barnard is proud that Christina received this honor, as she is the sixth Barnard recipient of this award — joining colleagues Christian Rojas, Reshmi Mukherjee, Dina Merrer, and Mary J. Sever — that honors the scholar-teacher in the sciences," said Provost and Dean of the Faculty and Claire Tow Professor of Economics Linda A. Bell. "This prestigious award is significant in the honor it bestows on its recipient and on the College."
Vizcarra, who has taught at Barnard since 2015, investigates how the protein actin is regulated to perform its cellular roles by using biochemical techniques, spectroscopy, and high-resolution microscopy. This research is funded by the NIH National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, as well as the NSF Divisions of Chemistry and Biological Infrastructure. Vizcarra conducted her NIH postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA, received her PhD from Caltech, and her B.S. from the University of Kansas.
The Cottrell Scholar (CS) program champions the very best early career teacher-scholars in chemistry, physics, and astronomy by providing significant discretionary awards for research. Nurturing an interdisciplinary community of outstanding scientific and academic leaders, the CS program fosters synergy among faculty at major American research universities and primarily undergraduate institutions. Cottrell Scholars engage in an annual networking event, providing them an opportunity to share insights and expertise through the Cottrell Scholar Collaborative.
Founded in 1912, the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) is a foundation providing catalytic and opportunistic funding for innovative scientific research and the development of academic scientists advancing American competitiveness in science and technology.
