Prof. Jenny Lenkowski Receives NIH Grant

The National Institutes of Health have awarded a $381,000 research grant to Goucher College Assistant Professor of Biology Jenny Lenkowski. The grant, from the National Eye Institute of NIH, will go to support Lenkowski’s work with undergraduate researchers at Goucher over the next three years.

Lenkowski studies the regenerative properties of zebrafish eyes, which can heal themselves without scarring (or the associated blindness) after a trauma. While she examines the way those cells, which work similarly to human stem cells, communicate with each other to regenerate, her work may have implications outside the aquarium.

“Humans have the same cells in their eyes,” she explained, “so there are potential medical applications that other labs can follow up on.”

Lenkowski began studying the subject as a post-doctoral student in 2009, and has continued her work with undergraduate researchers since coming to Goucher four years ago.

“This is a terrific example of the projects our faculty and students are working on during the academic year and in our intensive summer science research program,” said Goucher College Provost Leslie Lewis. “Undergraduates have an opportunity to pursue rigorous scientific research that could have far-reaching implications.”

NEI grants are highly competitive. In 2015, the last year for which figures are available, only 11 percent of applicants received funding. The grant money will go toward equipment and resources, including the hiring of a full-time research assistant, and paying student stipends for summer science research.