Engineering Alumna Recognized

Oct. 19, 2015 - Anteater engineering alumna Claire Robertson has received a 2015 For Women in Science Fellowship from L'Oreal USA. Robertson, who holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from UC Irvine, is a postdoctoral scientist in cancer bioengineering at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

Robertson is one of five recipients of the 2015 For Women in Science Fellowship, which honors female scientists at critical stages of their career with $60,000 fellowships to advance their postdoctoral research.

Robertson uses her background in imaging and biomechanics to better understand how the normal environment in the breast acts to suppress tumor formation through biophysical mechanisms. Her research has the potential to rapidly reduce breast cancer mortality by mimicking these mechanisms with new drugs and improving prediction of when cancerous cells will grow or metastasize. This fellowship will provide Robertson with the resources to focus exclusively on developing new research techniques and performing complex experiments.

In addition to mentoring several women researchers, Robertson has been active in outreach throughout her career, including helping to expand Rocket Science Tutors, an afterschool science program for disadvantaged middle school students.

The U.S. fellowship program requires that the fellows have a commitment to serve as role models for younger generations. Candidates are evaluated based on their intellectual merit, research potential, scientific excellence and their commitment to supporting women and girls in science. Applications were reviewed by experienced scientists in the candidates' respective fields through a partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).