Chemistry postdoctoral researcher awarded Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowship from One Health Microbiome Center
Zachary Budimir, postdoctoral researcher in chemistry, is one of three recipients to be awarded a Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowship (IIF) from the One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State. The competitive funding opportunity supports trainee-led projects bringing together diverse disciplines in innovative and impactful ways. The funds are intended to advance collaborative research through the development of new skills, tools and approaches that transcend traditional academic boundaries.
Budimir, advised by Carly Schissel, assistant professor of chemistry, will collaborate with Jordan Bisanz, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, on a project titled “Functional Characterization of Gut Microbiome-Derived Lasso Peptides."
Established in 2022, the IIF aims to expand trainees' expertise beyond their primary research focus through short-term training experiences in a lab at Penn State or with collaborators at other institutions. After completing the fellowship, recipients return to their home labs at Penn State to apply and share their newly acquired knowledge with the center community. Fellows also present a public seminar, giving a broader audience an opportunity to learn from their experiences and discoveries.
“The IIF program is grounded in our shared values and common mission to enable center members to expand their expertise and training with vital experiences in the laboratory of another center faculty member or external colleague to the campus” said Seth Bordenstein, director of the One Health Microbiome Center, Huck Professor in Microbiome Sciences, and professor of biology and of entomology. “Each awardee is ambitious in their vision, dedication and steadfastness to boost the creative capabilities of the community and facilitate collaboration among center members, with an emphasis on connecting traditionally siloed units.”
The Interdisciplinary Innovation Fellowships are awarded annually each summer and are open to active members of the Penn State One Health Microbiome Center. Trainees, faculty and staff are encouraged to apply, and partnerships to further support these transformative research endeavors are welcome. For more information, please contact Mallorie Smith at mqs5394@psu.edu.
About the OHMC
As one of the largest and most active units in the field, the OHMC is on a global mission to define the great microbiome center of the 21st century and build a legacy of contributions that promote the general welfare of humans, agriculture and the environment. Learn more on the OHMC website.