Duquesne Undergrad Recognized with Prestigious Science Award

A student researching pain and depression has been selected from applicants across the state as Duquesne’s first Clarkston Scholar.

Edward Hilton IV, a sophomore biochemistry major who also is minoring in math and biology, was selected from a pool of students throughout the state for the $10,000 scholarship. The scholarship, in only its fourth year, is presented by Clarkston Consulting to a highly motivated sophomore who excels in the classroom, has a focused interest and passion for life sciences and plans to become a life-science professional.

“This award is another example of Duquesne’s outstanding work in the sciences being recognized by others in the field,” said Dr. Philip Reeder, dean of the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. “In recent years, our students and their faculty mentors have been honored by organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the American Chemical Society and with Goldwater Scholarships. It’s gratifying to see our work applauded by such prestigious organizations.”

Hilton works in the lab of Dr. Ben Kolber, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and the research and education coordinator for Duquesne’s Chronic Pain Research Consortium. In the lab, Hilton is working on a collaborative project with consortium member Dr. Kevin Tidgewell, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry, characterizing the neurological activity of novel compounds from marine bacteria and identifying the species of bacteria making the compounds.

In addition to the scholarship, Hilton will receive personal mentoring in life sciences by Clarkston Consulting and participate in events sponsored by PA Bio, the statewide trade association for life sciences, over the next two years.

The Clarkston Scholar previously was awarded to students at the University of Pennsylvania and Lehigh University.