CVM Toxicology Alumna Selected For AFS Distinguished Graduate Student Award
Story by Madeline Patton, CVMBS Communications
Lauren Lewis, Ph.D., a doctoral graduate from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) and Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology (IFT), was selected to receive the 2020 Texas A&M Association of Former Students’ (AFS) Distinguished Graduate Student Award in the category of Excellence in Research.
Every year, the AFS selects a group of 15 graduate students to receive an award in the category of research or teaching.
After double majoring in biomedical sciences (BIMS) and entomology, with a minor in French, Lewis went on to earn a doctorate in toxicology in 2019.
Her motivation for finishing her doctorate in toxicology was to become a research scientist in the pharmaceutical industry.
“Working in the pharmaceutical industry provides opportunities to make an impact on drug discovery and development with the ultimate goal of bringing life-saving therapies to as many patient populations as possible,” Lewis said.
Lewis is now working at the Cambridge, Massachusetts, site of Takeda, a global research and development pharmaceutical company based in Japan, conducting research projects and developing models to improve safety evaluations. She said that her time at the CVM helped develop her skills and passion, preparing her for her future career.
“The CVM provided numerous professional development opportunities for trainees,” Lewis said. “Through workshops and research symposia, I was able to practice effectively communicating my research findings to my peers as well as non-scientific audiences, which is a key skill that I use every day as a research scientist.
“I am honored and truly humbled to be recognized among so many excellent graduate students at Texas A&M,” Lewis said. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to complete my Ph.D. in the Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology program. I would like to thank my adviser, lab-mates, fellow TOX students, and CVM professors for all of their support.”
“Lauren has been an outstanding student, a passionate researcher who overcame considerable personal hardship in graduate school, and a true role model to other female students in our program, the College, and the larger profession of toxicology. She has tirelessly volunteered her time to many worthy academic, scientific and professional causes and is most deserving of this recognition,” said Dr. Ivan Rusyn professor in the CVM Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS) who served as a primary adviser to Lewis.
The award ceremony honoring Lewis and the other students will be scheduled at a later date.
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Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of CVM Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science; jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu; 979-862-4216
