May 29, 2008

Holy Cross Senior Earns Fulbright Grant to Study Under Swiss Scientist in Zurich

WORCESTER, Mass. – Alison Casserly, a member of the College of the Holy Cross Class of 2008, has been awarded a Fulbright Grant to conduct research and live in Zurich, Switzerland.

A biology major and biochemistry concentration and in the premedical program at the College, Casserly will be studying under Steven Brown, Ph.D., at the University of Zurich, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, in Zurich, Switzerland.

“I contacted Dr. Brown asking if he would be willing to host me and allow me to join his lab, funded by the Fulbright,” says the Pepperell, Mass. native. “His response was almost immediate and very positive.”  

Casserly and Brown developed a project that will investigate the expression of circadian or rhythm genes in human cells of depressed and non-depressed individuals to determine if there is any difference between the groups. Alteration of these gene expressions has been shown to result in sleep disorders, and these abnormalities have been genetically linked to various mental disorders, including depression. 

“If differences are found, this may influence depressed patients' treatment,” explains Casserly. “I thought this would be a fantastic way to pull together my interests in circadian biology and the medical field.”  

Her research on circadian biology started with Cara Constance, assistant professor biology at the College. “We researched the gene expressions in the brains of frogs,” she explains. 

When she returns to the U.S. she plans on applying to medical school. 

“I'm not sure yet exactly what field of medicine I aspire to, but I am certain I want to be a physician.”

On campus, she is a member of the American Medical Student Association, where she served as the publicity coordinator and the historian; and she was involved in Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD), a student-run community service organization.
 
Each year approximately 1,000 college students are awarded grants through the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship program in international educational exchange. Fulbright grants are made to U.S. citizens and nationals of other countries for a variety of educational activities, primarily university lecturing, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Since the program’s inception in 1946, more than 250,000 participants — chosen for their leadership potential — have had the opportunity to observe each other’s political, economic and cultural institutions.

For additional information contact Cristal Steuer at 508.793.2419