04/28/2008

Ashby Clay Turner Named 2008 Beckman Scholar - Receives $19,300 Toward His Own Biological Research

Ashby Clay Turner, a student in the College of Arts & Sciences, has been named a 2008 Beckman Scholar at the University of Kentucky, providing him with $19,300 over 14 months to support his own scientific research project under faculty mentorship.

The program is funded by the Beckman Foundation and provides a stipend and support for research projects the winning students propose in the fields of biology, chemistry, biochemistry or a biomedical science. The foundation selects 10-15 universities each year for a three-year grant, during which time the university awards Beckman Scholarships to six of its students over that three-year period. UK is at the beginning of its third three-year award.

Turner, a sophomore majoring in biology from Lexington, Ky., will perform his research, titled "The Effects of an Altered Dopaminergic System on Behavior, Development and Physiology in Drosophilia Melanogaster," under the mentorship of professor Robin Cooper in the department of biology. Turner, who is also majoring in music, has been conducting research in Cooper's lab for the past four years, beginning in high school.

"I believe this scholarship says just as much about the faculty as it does the scholars," Turner said. "It's obvious the faculty members really care about the students and are willing to step up and mentor us, and I'm thankful for their support."

UK became a participating institution in the Beckman Foundation originally in 2002, then won the three-year designation again in 2005, and again this spring. Turner is the 14th student chosen to be a Beckman Scholar at UK.

-- UK Public Relations