Chemistry Newsletter Fall 2017 | Page 22

Joshua and Isaiah Gober - Twin Ph.D.’s Continued from page 16 to improve the activity of these proteins via the introduction of simple and conserved mutations that led to robust and predictable outcomes. As a result of his efforts, Joshua is a co-author on five papers in journals such as JACS, ACS Chemical Biology, and ChemBioChem, from his time at UNC, including four first author papers! Joshua is now a senior research scientist at Genentech, one of the leading biotechnology companies and a pioneer in the development of protein-based therapeutics. Congratulations to both Jushua and Isaiah on your continued excellence! We wish you all the best and hope to see you back on campus for the Bicentennial Celebrations in April! Congratulations, John Thomas! Our warmest congratulations to undergraduate chemistry ma- jor John Thomas, who has been selected to receive a scholar- ship from the Air Force Health Professional Scholarship Pro- gram, HPSP. John started at UNC studying chemistry as an Air Force ROTC student, and during his time in this program he grew to love the search and rescue mission field. He decided early to pursue a career as a physician in search and rescue, as he was inspired by the opportunity to provide emergency care to people all over the world. He knew that the Air Force offered opportunities for medical school funding, and that in order to qualify, he had to perform excellently both as a student, and cadet in the ROTC. So, John focused, and worked hard. Pre-med cadets compete for the HPSP scholarships at the beginning of their senior year, and John was one of the lucky few who learned that his hard work had been rewarded. He was one of only twelve Air Force ROTC cadets in the country to be granted an HPSP scholarship. The scholarship provides finan- cial support to pay for all expenses, supplies, books, and full tuition required to whatever medical school John decides tor attend. Additionally, the scholarship provides a stipend to pay for living expenses. Upon completion of his medical degree, John will serve in the Air Force Medical Corps as a physician. -Congratulations to your dedication and recognition, John, and all the best wishes for your future!