A University of Toledo graduate student’s passion for chemistry research was recognized when he received a young scientist award at an international conference.
Shu Xu showed off the Santosh Nigam Memorial Outstanding Young Scientist Award he received from Dr. Lawrence J. Marnett of Vanderbilt University, a conference organizer, and Renate Nigam, widow of the award’s namesake and patron of the honor.
Xu, who said he is humbled and honored by the recognition, researches an important aspect of polyunsaturated fat metabolism related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
Originally from Nantont, China, the 28-year-old was one of 10 investigators worldwide chosen as finalists for the award. His research presentation, “The Structure of the Catalytic Domain of 12-Lipoxygenase,” was selected for the honor in a juried session at the conference.
“One of the reasons I wanted to attend the 2011 conference was to find the proper outlet to show off all of the research and hard work that went into this discovery,” Xu said. “I am very passionate to learn all there is to know about bioactive lipids, and I am eager to continue my research.”
Dr. Max Funk, Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and the adviser of Xu’s doctoral program, said he is proud of Xu, who is the first UT student to be nominated and selected for this international award.
“What an honor for the Chemistry Department and the University as a whole to have him be recognized with the 2011 Santosh Nigam Outstanding Young Scientist Award,” Funk said. “Xu’s accomplishment is representative of the excellent work and commitment to research that exists at The University of Toledo.”
