Andrew and Mary Weinberg Fund for Undergraduate Research

The MCDB Department is delighted to announce a significant gift by the Andrew and Mary Weinberg Foundation that will enable undergraduate students to conduct full-time research in laboratories in MCDB during the summer months. Andrew Weinberg is a highly successful UCSB alum who graduated in 1981 with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Biology Dept (now called “MCDB”). He subsequently obtained a PhD from Washington State University and embarked on a career that eventually led him to the Providence Cancer Institute in Portland, OR. There his group developed an antibody that enhances the immune response to cancer. He spun-out a biotech company, Agonox, from the Providence Cancer Center in which he is currently the CSO and President. Dr. Weinberg has fond memories of his time as an undergrad at UCSB but also remembers that it was very difficult for biology undergrads to get into professors’ labs to gain research experience. He hopes that this funding will allow more undergraduate students to be exposed to research. The generous support by Andrew and his wife Mary Weinberg - a dietician at Oregon Health Science University - will establish at least two annual fellowships (currently in the amount of $4,000 each) to be awarded competitively. These awards will enable students to conduct full-time research during the summer quarter. A request for applications will go out to students soon. Stay tuned. The department thanks Andrew and Mary Weinberg for their support of our future scientists. Their gift will have a real impact on the lives and future careers of our best and brightest!