• Thesis With Distinction

Research LISA CANNON NAMED SECOND OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLAR FOR 2002/2003 Lisa Cannon, a WSU biochemistry major, has been named the second Outstanding Undergraduate Research Scholar for 2002/03 by the College of Sciences. A student in the Honors College, Cannon has done research for several years in the laboratory of chemistry professor Zhaohui “Sunny” Zhou. Cannon developed the first assay, based on color change for easy detection, for S-adenosylmethionine, a nutritional supplement sold as a treatment for arthritis and depression. She was first author on a paper about her work that was published in the Analytical Biochemistry journal and presented a poster at the American Chemical Society Northwestern Regional Meeting. Presently she is revealing the biochemical properties of a new enzyme, LuxS, which plays a crucial role in bacterial infection. “She is studying mutants of this enzyme and screening for inhibitors; work that may lead to a new generation of anti-infective agents,” said Zhou. Zhou attributes Cannon’s research successes to her creative approach and ability to work on multiple problems simultaneously. He also notes her strengths as a productive team member and effective teaching assistant. Among her awards, Cannon has won a Herbert L. Eastlick Scholarship in Pre-medicine, an Edward Meyer Science Opportunity Scholarship, and College of Sciences and Honors College summer research internships. This past summer she completed a medical mission at Iquitos, Peru, on the Amazon. After graduating in May 2003, Cannon plans to enter medical school to pursue a career in orthopedic or reconstructive surgery. She hopes to continue research within the biomedical sciences and stay involved in her athletic and artistic hobbies. Cannon is a 1999 graduate of Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota. Four Outstanding Undergraduate Research Scholars are selected each year; they receive $250 book awards. The OUR Award recognizes both the scholars for their research achievements and their faculty mentors. Contact us: honors@wsu.edu 509 335-4505 | Accessibility | Copyright | Policies Honors College, PO Box 642012, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2012 USA