Joanna Slusky *01 selected for inaugural cohort of Moore Inventor Fellows
Joanna S. G. Slusky ’01, an assistant professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and the Center for Computational Biology at the University of Kansas, has been selected as one of five aspiring inventors to comprise the inaugural cohort of Moore Inventor Fellows. Awarded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, this program recognizes early career investigators at U.S. Universities with great potential to accelerate progress in scientific research, environmental conservation and patient care. Over three years, each Fellow will receive $825,000 to develop their research program.
From the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: Joanna’s invention is a protein that will re-sensitize bacteria to common antibiotics, thereby overcoming drug-resistant superbugs. Joanna’s invention could have a global impact on antibiotic resistance and re-establish the efficacy of antibiotics.
Slusky graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with an A. B. in Chemistry and conducted research in the laboratory of Robert J. Cava where she synthesized superconductors and geometrically frustrated magnets. During her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania she studied membrane protein design under the direction of Bill DeGrado. She then went on to complete two postdoctoral appointments in laboratory of Gunnar von Heijne at Stockholm University and with Roland Dunbrack at Fox Chase Cancer Center.