Morgan Walker wins WCC Merck Research Award
August 20, 2021 | By UNC-Chapel Hill Chemistry Communication
We are pleased to announce that Morgan Walker, fourth-year doctoral student in the Redinbo Research Group, is one of eight recipients of the WCC Merck Research Award. The award, presented by the American Chemical Society’s Women Chemists Committee (WCC), recognizes female chemists (*includes female-identified individuals and persons assigned female at birth) in their 3rd or 4th year of graduate school with a focus in analytical, chemical biology, computational, medicinal, organic or structural chemistry.
Walker’s research focus is on the therapeutic and endogenous compounds by the human gut microbiome.
“Our [Redinbo Research Group] overall goal is to understand how the products of gut microbial chemical reactions impact human health,” said Walker.
“Morgan’s work on linking gut microbial enzymes to physiological outcomes continues to push the boundaries on what we know about microbial-mammalian mutualism. Her outcomes may lead to ways for us to realize the promise of personalized medicine and new therapeutic avenues for intractable conditions,” said Matthew Redinbo, Kenan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry.
The awardees will present their research during the awards symposium of the American Chemical Society’s annual Fall National Meeting. Awardees are recognized at the awards symposium luncheon and the Women Chemists Committee luncheon. The mission of the WCC is to attract, retain, develop, promote and advocate for women to positively impact diversity, equity and inclusion in the society and the profession.