Biophysicist Amy Rowat, an associate professor and vice chair of integrative biology and physiology in the UCLA College,has received a National Science Foundation BRITE Fellow award thatwill provide$995,000 of research funding over five years.

This is the first time the foundation has given out these awards, which allow researchers to explorebold and ambitiousideas.

Rowats BRITEFellowawardwill advance knowledge of cells as materials, including fundamental studies to identify new molecules that regulate how cells sense and respond to physical and mechanical cues. The award will also support Rowats workto translateknowledge of cells as materials to developcutting-edge scientific methods to meet the food needs of the worlds growing population, without slaughtering animals.

One of the goals of the project is to grow animal protein in a laboratory for food. Rowat, the Marcie H. Rothman Professor of Food Studies,will conduct research on cultured meat grown from cells from an animals muscles also known as slaughter-free and clean meat.

Rowat is a member of UCLAsbioengineering department, California NanoSystems Institute, Center for Biological Physics, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center,Broad Stem Cell Research Center and co-lead of the Semel Healthy Campus Initiative Center Eatwell group.She also leadsactivities attheUCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, including expanding her popular science and food course and public events,and developing the chef-in-residence program.

Read the rest here:
Biophysicist Amy Rowat honored by the National Science Foundation - UCLA Newsroom