William Mosenthal '11, of Norwich, VT, has been awarded one of 24 nationwide undergraduate research fellowships by the American Physiological Society (APS).  Fellowship winners spend the summer in the laboratory of an established scientist and APS member. Now in its 11th year, this program aims to excite and encourage students about careers in biomedical research. William is interested in pursuing a career as a physician scientist.

His project is "Neuroprotective Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles”; he plans to investigate how cerium nanoparticles decrease brain cell death in a model of stroke, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Biology Ana Estevez. A biology major, William is a member of the campus EMS team and a member of the leadership honorary Omicron Delta Kappa. He was awarded a Tanner Fellowship in 2009, allowing him to participate in an internship in a physiology lab at Dartmouth Medical School. Also a member of the track team, he graduated from Hanover (NH) High School.

Selection of participants was based upon academic merit, the perceived quality of the proposed experience and the availability of appropriate faculty mentors. Special consideration was given to applicants whose socioeconomic background, access to educational opportunities, and other life experiences suggest that they would especially benefit from this type of program.

Each fellow receives a $4,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the 10-week fellowship. Fellows also receive an additional $1,300 in travel funds to present their research at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting in Washington, DC, which is expected to attract nearly 14,000 scientists.