A predoctoral researcher from the Graduate School received outside project funding in recognition of the quality of their research and the impact it may provide.

Predoc Emma Moore in the lab of Investigator Paul Trainor, Ph.D., received an F31 award from the National Institutes of Health for her research on neural crest cells in congenital craniofacial conditions. Also known as the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships, this award aims to facilitate outstanding predoctoral researchers by providing up to five years of funding for research leading to a Ph.D.

Moore’s research involves the understanding of how neural crest cells—the cells that become most of the bone and cartilage of the head and face during early development—detaches from the neuroepithelium tissue where they are born to begin their proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Her goal is to provide fundamental knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing proper craniofacial development and where these can go awry.

“This funding will allow me to travel to conferences and attend additional courses relevant to developmental biology, enabling me to learn more about craniofacial anomalies and development, as well as showcase my work in these areas,” said Moore.