Three at U. named Sloan Research Fellows

As part of its continuing effort to support young scientists nationwide, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has named three University faculty members as 1994 Sloan Research Fellows. The three recipients are Rita Balice-Gordon, assistant professor of Biology, Michael Larsen, assistant professor of Mathematics and Timothy Swager, assistant professor of Chemistry. According to Maureen Gassman, spokesperson for the Sloan Foundation, the recipients are granted $30,000 over a two-year period. The funds will be maintained by the University. The grants are awarded as a means for young researchers to receive funding at the critical early stage of their careers when funding is scarce. Alfred Sloan, former president and chief executive officer of General Motors, established the Foundation in 1934, according to Gassman. And its main interests lie in science and technology, economic growth and management. Larsen's research under the grant will be a continuation of his work in arithmetic algebraic geometry. According to Larsen, "The flavor of the subject is that one tries to form geometric intuitions in Algebra so you can apply them in non-geometric series." Much of Swager's work will consist of building conducting polymers that will have biomedical research applications. And Balice-Gordon, who has been at the University for only a month, is investigating Activity Dependent Synaptic Plasticity. The phenomenon describes how different levels of neural activity can change connections in the brain. In order to conduct her research, Balice-Gordon will use the intermuscular junction model, a simplified way of studying synaptic activity. "We use this model because it is very hard to measure synapses in the brain," Balice-Gordon said. "The intermuscular junction model is very accessible in normal animals and is a very accurate guide to synaptic activity in the brain." The researchers said they are highly appreciative of their selection as Sloan fellows. Larsen said the fellowship came as a "very pleasant surprise." And Balice-Gordon said she was "pleased and honored" at her selection. "It is always nice to be recognized by peers," she said. "Sloan helps young scientists to just get going so they can receive further grants in the future."