Zach Altshuler (MCB ‘20) has been awarded the Henderson Prize, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate thesis work in biochemistry. The prize is awarded by the Board of Tutors in Biochemical Sciences in honor of Harvard professor Lawrence J. Henderson (1878-1942).
His thesis was titled “Mutations in PPM1D Characteristic of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential Modulate Inflammatory Signaling Through HMGA2” and conducted in Benjamin Ebert’s lab at HMS.
As a recipient of the Henderson Prize, Altshuler will receive a $500 award, a framed certificate, and a copy of a book called Fitness of the Environment, written by the prize’s namesake Lawrence J. Henderson.
“He is a great pick for the Henderson Prize,” says academic tutor and HMS professor Martha Bulyk, who has been Altshuler’s tutor in biochemistry for two years. “Zach asked insightful questions, demonstrating his critical thinking skills and genuine interest in the science. It was clearly apparent how excited he was about his thesis research on clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential in the Ebert lab. Zach is a highly intelligent, motivated student and a wonderful young scientist.”
“Over the past two years, Zach has developed into an outstanding scientist, and I am thrilled that his work is being recognized with the Henderson Prize,” agrees Altshuler’s faculty mentor Benjamin Ebert of HMS. “In addition to his excellent experimental work, Zach demonstrated tremendous communication skills, in his thesis, presentations, and our conversations. His intellectual firepower, curiosity, and enthusiasm for research will lead to many great accomplishments in the future.”
“I want to thank everyone in the MCB community for their guidance and support throughout the thesis process,” Altshuler says. “I also want to thank my roommate Alex for all the great memories of our years studying MCB.”
He adds, “I am grateful to Ben Ebert, Peter Miller, and Chris Gibson for their mentorship and for the opportunity to pursue this exciting research in their laboratory.”
by Diana Crow
