PhD student Anatoly Belov says that, if it wasn’t for the Trillium award, he wouldn’t be at Carleton right now.
Last fall, Belov was one of four doctoral students to be awarded a Trillium Scholarship to come to Carleton. It’s worth $40,000 a year for four years.
Says Belov: “It’s made a big difference in my life and allowed me to continue to pursue the research that I am interested in.”
Belov applied to come to Carleton from Moscow after reading an article about Myron Smith’s Lab.
“This is the best lab of its kind in the world,” says the graduate student, whose research work focuses on virus-fungus interactions.
By the 1970’s, the once dominant North American Chestnut tree had almost been wiped out by disease caused by the fungus Cryphonectria Parasitica. Belov is interested in how CHV, a naturally occurring virus of the fungus, makes the fungus less virulent and therefore less deadly for the trees. Belov explains that, if the fungus “catches” this virus, then, the Chestnut tree will survive. But unfortunately, this fungus has a type of immune system that prevents transmission of the virus. Solving this disease puzzle could eventually help to save many trees.
The research team in the Smith lab is using the Chestnut tree disease system as a model to explore the overall mystery of host-virus interactions.
“Anatoly is using an innovative approach to explore fundamental processes in the field of cell biology, and his results will also enhance our ability to use biocontrol strategies against pathogens in our environment,” says Smith, an associate professor with the Biology Department. “His project will continue to garner broad international interest in fields spanning applied and basic research.”
For more information about awards and scholarships available to Carleton graduate students, click HERE.
Monday, March 5, 2012 in Awards, Grad Student Research, News
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