Zach Jenner of Peoria Conducting Chemistry Research at Southwestern University This Summer

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Zach Jenner

GEORGETOWN, TX (05/30/2012)(readMedia)-- Zach Jenner of Peoria is one of 10 students conducting research at Southwestern University this summer as part of the Welch Summer Research Program, which is funded by the Robert A. Welch Foundation of Houston. The Welch Foundation has funded this program in Southwestern's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since 1985.

Students selected for the program receive a stipend as well as living expenses that enable them to spend eight weeks conducting research with Southwestern faculty members.

Jenner is working with Chemistry Professor Kerry Bruns on synthesizing novel antimicrobial peptides specified for Gram-positive bacteria (i.e. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA).

In addition to the research component, students who participate in the Welch summer program also do science outreach activities for children in the Georgetown community. This year's program participants took chemistry experiments to show students at a local elementary school.

Jenner is a sophomore biochemistry major at Southwestern. He hopes to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. dual degree at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Jenner is the son of Brad and Melissa Jenner of Peoria. He is a 2010 graduate of Sandra Day O'Connor High School.

Southwestern University is a selective, nationally recognized undergraduate liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,350 students. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in Texas. For more information on Southwestern, visit www.southwestern.edu.