The Amanda Hope Skolnick Undergraduate Award is given annually to honor the memory of Amanda Skolnick, who worked as a Laboratory Assistant in the Department of Pharmacology while an undergraduate at The University of Iowa. In her junior year of study, Amanda’s life tragically ended after being struck by a motor vehicle in Iowa City. The Skolnick family made a generous donation to the Department of Pharmacology to establish an award in memory of Amanda. The award is presented annually to a Department of Pharmacology undergraduate employee who best exemplifies the dedication and spirit that Amanda demonstrated daily in her work as a Laboratory Assistant.

Our 2012 award recipient was Kubat Rahatbek. Kubat has been a Laboratory Assistant in Dr. Yuriy Usachev’s laboratory since the spring of 2011. He is majoring in Health and Human Physiology and on track to graduate in May of this year. Since receiving the Skolnick award, Kubat was also awarded a highly competitive Summer Research Internship at Washington University in St. Louis, where he practiced research this past summer. He is currently awaiting decisions on applications to several Medical Schools, including the University of Iowa. Our congratulations and good luck wishes to Kubat!