Matthew Helton wins 2012 Johnson Opportunity Grant at Washington and Lee University

LEXINGTON, VA (05/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Matthew Helton, from Carrollton, Ga., a junior at Washington and Lee University, has been selected for the spring/summer 2012 Johnson Opportunity Grant. The Johnson Program on Leadership and Integrity awards 25-30 grants each year.

Helton will travel to the University of St. Andrews in Scotland to join a research team focusing on developing improved methods for the practical synthesis of bioactive natural products. He is majoring in biochemistry with a minor in mathematics, and he will research methods and techniques to synthesize certain biomaterials that possess  pharmaceutical and medical applications, including minimal access surgery.

His future plans include possible medical school, graduate school in chemistry or potentially both. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

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.