April 22, 2010
UW names 2010 Magnuson Scholars
Six health sciences students have been named 2010 Magnuson Scholars, one of the highest awards given by the University. This year’s awardees are: Elizabeth K. Babler, School of Nursing; John D. Chapman, School of Pharmacy; Gregory P. Levin, School of Public Health; Carrie A. Moylan, School of Social Wok; Amir Seifi, School of Dentistry; and Tyler L. Quest, School of Medicine.
Each year the University names six Magnuson Scholars, one from each of the six UW health sciences schools. The scholars are selected on the basis of their academic performance and their potential contributions to research in the health sciences.
The Magnuson Scholars program was established in the name of the late Sen. Warren G. Magnuson. The senator was committed to improving the nation’s health through biomedical research and was instrumental in establishing the National Institutes of Health, Medicare and Medicaid during his long career in the United States Senate.
This years Magnuson Scholars are:
Elizabeth K. Babler, (Nursing)
Elizabeth earned a master of nursing degree from the UW in 1998 and began the doctoral in nursing science program in 2008. A long-time Washington state resident and an accomplished nurse practitioner, Elizabeth has provided specialty care in endocrinology and diabetes to countless patients at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Wash. for over a decade. Her current research is on the development of a theoretical paradigm regarding needle anxiety in patients with pediatric diabetes. Upon completion of her degree, she will seek a tenure-track faculty position in a university setting where she can educate the next generation of nurses to generate and disseminate new knowledge related to pediatric diabetes. Elizabeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisc. She is married and has four sons and two grandchildren. She is an avid quilter, loves to read, and enjoys the outdoors.
John D. Chapman (Pharmacy)
John attended the University of Arizona for his undergraduate degree where he studied biochemistry and molecular biophysics, molecular biology, and chemistry. He recently moved to Seattle to join the Department of Medicinal Chemistry as a graduate student. Currently, he is a member of David Goodlett’s Lab where he utilizes proteomic and mass spectrometry techniques to understand clinically relevant research questions. One application of this is to map the protein expression changes observed in the development of Type 1 diabetes in an effort to enhance early patient detection and increase patient awareness. John was born and reared in Gilbert, Az. He is the youngest of three brothers and one sister. In his free time, John enjoys working out, playing basketball, exploring the city of Seattle, and taking advantage of all the amazing outdoor activities right in his own backyard.
Gregory P. Levin (Public Health)
Gregory received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Bowdoin College in Maine. He is a doctoral student in the UW Department of Biostatistics and is primarily interested in the design and conduct of clinical trials. He is beginning his dissertation research aimed at expanding the statistical methodology available for the application of adaptive clinical trials. As a member of a nephrology and epidemiology working group at the UW, he is also involved in several research projects aimed at better understanding chronic conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes. Gregory’s long-term goal is to pursue a career in clinical trial research at a national institution such as the National Institutes of Health or the Food and Drug Administration. Gregory grew up in Massachusetts. He plays several sports, including basketball and soccer, and also enjoys hiking and traveling. His brother Michael is a dentist on the East Coast and his girlfriend Priya is a law student in California.
Carrie A. Movlan (Social Work)
Carrie received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies from Oberlin College and her master’s in social work from the University of Michigan. She worked with sexual assault and domestic violence survivors for seven years, including providing crisis intervention, counseling, and group facilitation. She also established a teen outreach and education program, trained countless volunteers, and worked on improving services to sexual assault survivors, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) survivors, and teen survivors. Her current research focuses on how communities and organizations can enhance their ability to work inter-professionally in order to respond to victims of violence in a way that reduces the negative consequences associated with such violence. When Carrie is not working on her career, she is knitting, spending time with her partner, or playing with the cutest and sweetest one-year-old boy ever!
Amir Seifi (Dentistry)
Amir received his D.D.S. degree from Tehran School of Dentistry in 2002. He began his doctoral studies in oral biology at the UW in 2005. His research is on the biology and pathogenesis of herpes viruses in the oral cavity. He has been studying the infection of the oral epithelium with herpes viruses and the processes through which the virus causes oral diseases and cancers. Amir is also an oral medicine resident. During his residency, Amir will be extending a part of his research on the infection of the oral mucosa with major herpes viruses into clinical settings. He also works in the DECOD (Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities) Clinic which provides dental care for patients with disabilities. Amir hopes to pursue his research and clinical goals in an academic environment where he can teach and perform research and collaborate with other scientists in the area of his interest. Amir was born in Tehran, Iran. Swimming, biking, and enjoying a cup of tea with good friends are his hobbies. He attributes his success in receiving the prestigious Magnuson Scholars award to his father, a pediatrician, and mother, a retired biology teacher.
Tyler L. Quest (Medicine)
Tyler completed his first year of medical school at the University of Wyoming WWAMI site and is pursuing a long-held interest in diabetes research. During his undergraduate education at the University of Wyoming, Tyler studied the impacts of diabetes and obesity on fetal development and spent summers working as a dialysis technician with patients at the Wyoming Kidney Center. He is currently pursuing research on diabetes and hopes to develop new prevention methods for diabetes and obesity. Tyler, a member of the Potawatomi nation, is also interested in Native American health issues. He credits his interest in medicine to early exposure by his parents. His mother, a nurse, and his father, a pharmacist, often talked about their work and allowed Tyler and his younger to occasionally visit their workplaces. Tyler enjoys working with children, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He is looking forward to living in Seattle after enjoying Wyoming for the past 24 years.
