Daniel Katz - Graduate Achiever Scholarship Recipient

Born and bred in the buckeye state I found my way down to Alabama, the Heart of Dixie, in pursuit of a career in Toxicology.  Aperian Laboratory Solutions, of East Alabama Medical Center, provided the experience that propelled me to begin graduate studies at the Harrison School of Pharmacy of Auburn University.  My time outside of school is primarily spent working out at our newly renovated recreation center, volunteering for the Lee County Literacy Coalition, attending Auburn football games, and occasionally seeing a new picture at the movie theater.  My research focuses on determining the mechanism of toxicity of drugs of abuse, primarily stimulants, in cell culture and the animal model.  I plan on elucidating the means by which synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”) have detrimental effects on memory.  The HonorSociety.org Graduate Student Achiever Scholarship will provide funding for laboratory supplies (chemicals, flasks, media, pipettes) and traveling to a neuroscience convention so I can further enhance my knowledge in neuroscience as well as networking opportunities with leaders in the field.  I am proud to receive the graduate student achiever award, just the beginning to a productive and fulfilling career as a research scientist.