LSU Vet Med Scholar Awarded Research Publication Grant in Engineering, Medicine and Science

Prestigious award aims to tackle barriers women face in education

WASHINGTON DC — The American Association of University Women (AAUW) awarded its 2022-23 Research Publication Grant in Engineering, Medicine and Science to Weishan Huang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Immunology in the Department of Pathobiology Sciences at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.

“I am extremely grateful to receive the AAUW Research Publication Grant in engineering, Medicine and Science,” said Dr. Huang. “This award allows me to perform critical experiments to evaluate the potential a novel nanotechnology in developing antiviral precision medicine.”

Dr. Huang plans to use the unique resources available at LSU Vet Med to perform experiments that have the potential of developing antiviral nanomedicine against COVID-19. “Thanks to this grant from AAUW, I’m getting a head start on my journey toward accomplishing my academic goals and career aspirations. In collaboration with Dr. Xing Wang, a chemist at the University of Illinois, we aim to develop an innovative platform which allows rapid design, development and validation of antiviral precision medicine. We are using COVID-19 as a surrogate model, because LSU has developed a unique research environment, empowering our grand challenge against COVID-19. If successful, our research strategy may be transferable to develop antiviral medicine against other viruses which may be life-threatening as well, such as the influenza viruses and HIV.” said Dr. Huang. 

AAUW is one of the world’s leading supporters of graduate women’s education: Over the past 134 years, it has provided more than $135 million in fellowships, grants and awards to 13,000 women from 150 countries. AAUW is proud to be one of the nation’s largest educational funders for women of color.

For the 2022-23 academic year, AAUW is awarding an unprecedented $6 million through seven fellowships and grants programs to more than 320 scholars, research projects and programs promoting education and equity for women and girls. 

“We are thrilled to be able to increase our support to so many deserving women,” said Gloria Blackwell, AAUW’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our fellows and grantees have changed the face of leadership nationally and globally for over a century, and we know that this year’s awardees will continue to make significant contributions to their fields and society.” 

AAUW’s Research Publication Grants in Engineering, Medicine and Science support basic research and projects that will culminate in scholarly publications.

“Women in these fields face persistent barriers and biases that can make it difficult for them to find the time, funding and institutional support needed to publish their research,” Blackwell said. “AAUW is proud to help provide them with the resources they need to excel.”

Applications for AAUW’s fellowship and grants open August 1 each year. Deadlines vary by program. To find out more about this year’s exceptional class of awardees, visit the online directory. 

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education and advocacy. Our nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. Learn more and join us at www.aauw.org.

About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.