Dr. Charles H. “Tom”
Sawyer, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Neurobiology at the University of
California, Los Angeles, was a pioneer in the field of Neuroendocrinology. His
work fostered our understanding of how the brain controls the pituitary gland
and reproductive function. His research contributed significantly to the
development of effective contraceptives and the management of
infertility. His scientific experimentation also essentially started the
intense study of monamines in neuroendocrine and general brain activity, still
a major experimental thrust in neurobiology today.
Dr. Sawyer passed away on June 20, 2006, at the age of 91.
To honor his memory and continue his legacy, the Department of Neurobiology
established the Charles H. Sawyer Memorial Travel Fund to foster the career of
graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the Department by allowing them
to participate in scientific conferences abroad.
A Charles H. Sawyer
Travel Award in the amount of $2,000 will be given annually to a graduate
student or post-doctoral fellow to partially defray the cost of presenting
their data at an International Conference held outside the US. Applications will be reviewed by the
Executive Committee of the Graduate Program in Neurobiology.
- The
nominee must meet the following criteria:
- The conference must be held outside of
the U.S. in 2008 or 2009.
- The nominee must be the first author of
an abstract to be presented at the meeting.
- The abstract must be of the highest
scientific merit.
- The advisor of the nominee must be a
member of the Department of Neurobiology but students from any graduate
program working in the laboratory of a member of the Department of
Neurobiology may apply.
- The application packet must contain one
copy of the following items:
- A one page maximum description of the
conference and how attendance will benefit the student.
- An abstract (no more than 500 words)
describing the research to be presented at the meeting (this does not need
to be the final abstract submitted to the meeting at a later date).
- A letter of nomination by the mentor.
ALL MATERIAL MUST BE SUBMITTED BY September 8, 2008. All materials must be submitted to
Brenda Padron either by email or hand delivered to 73-235 CHS.
- The winner will be announced at the Annual Department of
Neurobiology Scientific Symposium on October 3, 2008.
- The winner will be reimbursed after the conference. The original receipts must be submitted
to Brenda Padron 15 days following the trip.
Please feel free to
contact Marie-Francoise Chesselet at mchesselet@mednet.ucla.edu with any questions.
