The Post-Comprehensive Research Fellowship is awarded to students to recognize their distinguished academic achievement and to provide protected time for research. Kimberly is a PhD candidate in the Experimental Pathology program working in the lab of Dr. Marco Hefti. Her dissertation uses a combination of human tissue and human-derived stem cell models to answer questions about how the tau protein contributes to different types of neurodegenerative diseases. As we age, tau can misfold and clump into aggregates that overwhelm the cell, leading to cell death. Ultimately, this process contributes to cognitive decline in a number of diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementias. As she continues in her PhD, Kimberly will work to better address what causes tau to affect different cell types in a disease-dependent manner, as well as how these differences can be used to create targeted therapeutics.

The fellowship provides a $10,500 stipend, tuition scholarship for up to two credits, 50% of mandatory fees, and a contribution towards health and dental insurance.