Christine Pence Wins 2012 Johnson Opportunity Grant at Washington and Lee University

LEXINGTON, VA (03/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Christine Pence of Bainbridge Island, Wash., a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, has been selected for the spring/summer 2012 Johnson Opportunity Grant. The Johnson Program on Leadership and Integrity awards 25 to 30 grants each year.

Pence is a biochemistry major with a minor in Poverty and Human Capability Studies.  She will intern for the summer as a laboratory assistant for the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) in Seattle, Wash. 

The institute focuses on diseases prevalent in the third world, including diagnosis and vaccination against leishmaniasis and leprosy.  Although Pence will be advised by an IDRI scientist, she will be responsible for leading her own research.

Working towards a career in health care, Pence currently volunteers at the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic in Lexington and is a member of the W&L riding team.

The grants cover living, travel and other costs associated with the students' proposed activities, which are designed to help them with their future careers and fields of study.  The grants vary in amount from $1,000 to $4,500 and are funded as part of the Johnson Program in Leadership and Integrity.