Each year, the Department of Biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis awards a prize to a graduating senior in memory of Marion Smith Spector, a 1938 graduate who studied zoology under the late Viktor Hamburger. The Spector Prize, first awarded in 1974, recognizes academic excellence and outstanding undergraduate achievement in research. Students are nominated by their research mentors for outstanding research that has made substantial contributions to a field.

This year’s winner, Nina Zheng, is a Biology Major with Specialization in Genomics and Computational Biology, and a minor in Bioinformatics. Her thesis research More than a drug efflux pump: A role for AcrAB-TolC in Escherichia coli membrane homeostasis was completed in the Levin Lab.

In her nomination letter, Petra Levin, George William and Irene Koechig Freiberg Professor of Biology, wrote, “It is difficult to encapsulate the impact of Nina’s contributions to our lab’s project in words. Suffice it to say that they have been monumental. Not only did she substantially shape the trajectory of the investigation, but the majority of her work was conducted during the school year when her time was limited by her challenging academic load. Nina is an ideal candidate for the Quatrano Prize. She exemplifies the passionate, independent, and creative spirit this award celebrates— traits that are critical for success as a primary investigator.”

Zheng says, "Receiving the Spector Prize would not have been possible without the support of my many mentors. I am especially grateful to Dr. Petra Levin, who has supported me since my first year at WashU and played a key role in my growth as a scientist. Her ability to break down complex ideas, communicate science effectively, and foster a supportive lab environment are qualities I hope to emulate. Reflecting on my time at WashU, I recognize that there is still a lot to learn, but I am proud of the progress that my fellow cohort and I have made as independent and critical thinkers. This growth is thanks to the investment the Biology Department has made in us, providing a strong foundation for the things we do beyond WashU."

Honorable mentions for the Spector Prize include Emily Oxender for her work in Strassmann Queller Lab, Emma 'Yiyi' Wang for her work in Bauer Lab, Cedric Bruges in DiPersio Lab, and Jane Wu for her work in Rentschler Lab. All Spector Prize winners will present their research in a special seminar, and will receive a prize and formal acknowledgement at a celebration of biology honors and research emphasis students in May.