Jessica E. Garb has been selected as the 2009 winner of the Dorothy M. Skinner Award. Dr. Garb earned her Ph.D. in 2003 from UC Berkeley. She completed a postdoc with Cheryl Hayashi at UC Riverside (2004-2007) and is currently a NIH Kirschstein NRSA postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona. Her research integrates molecular evolution with organismal ecology and systematic biology. She studies the molecular genetics and evolution of spider silk and venom.

Dr. Garb is giving a paper entitled "Comparative transcriptome profiling provides novel insights into the evolutionary genetics of black widow spider venom." Session 26.6, Monday, Jan. 5, 10:00 am in Commonwealth B.

Dr. Garb will be recognized at the SICB business meeting and awards ceremony Tuesday, Jan. 6th at 5:15 pm in Harbor 1.

The award was established to recognize women in the early stages of their careers and have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and show high potential for continued excellence in research. Dorothy Skinner was an exceptional scientist and an advocate for the promotion of women in scientific careers. The award was established in her memory. Click here to donate to the Skinner fund. A donation link is also found on every page of the SICB web site.