Kimberley McAllister named UC Davis Chancellor’s Fellow

Kimberley McAllister, associate professor of neurobiology, physiology and behavior and a member of the Center for Neuroscience, has been named by Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef as one of five UC Davis Chancellor's Fellows for 2007.

The Chancellor's Fellow program was established in 2000 to honor the achievements of extraordinary UC Davis faculty early in their careers. Winners are chosen based on demonstrated excellence in academic pursuits as evidenced by especially high achievement in the quality and significance of their research and teaching, and on the potential they have for future achievements. This prestigious award has been given to one or more faculty in the College of Biological Sciences each of the seven years since it began in 2000.

The research conducted by Dr. Kimberley McAllister focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synapse formation in the developing cerebral cortex. Current projects include studying two potential modulators of synapse formation: the neurotrophins and specific forms of synaptic activity. McAllister's lab is also investigating whether there are defects in synapse formation that might contribute to Fragile-X mental retardation and Alzheimer's disease. McAllister has received several awards over her career, including the Pew Scholars Award, the Merck Scholars Award, a Sloan Fellowship, and the Society for Neuroscience's Young Investigator of the Year Award.

Faculty members who are selected to be Chancellor's Fellows will receive a one-time award of $25,000, and can use the title "Chancellor's Fellow" for a period of five years from the date of the award. Dr. Kimberley McAllister will be a UC Davis Chancellor's Fellow from 2007-2012. The prize is funded from private contributions to the UC Davis Annual Fund and Davis Chancellor's Club, with the money to be used for research, teaching or service activities.