Weaver receives Presidents Award
Dr. Weaver’s research interests are in the field of microbiology, specifically bacterial genetics and plasmids. Bacterial plasmids are small circular DNA molecules that are replicated and inherited within cells, separately from the chromosome. Plasmids are important because of their involvement in the spread of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria. They often carry genes important in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections.Dr. Weaver is interested in how these important genetic determinants are replicated, inherited, and transmitted by bacteria. Throughout his seventeen years as a faculty member at The U., Dr. Weaver has obtained grant support from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other sources. He has published 36 referred publications and is consistently involved in advising graduate students as well as mentoring undergraduate and Honors students.
The President's Awards for Research Excellence were initiated in 1997 to recognize research accomplishments that have enhanced the national reputation of both the scholar and the state. The awards are presented annually. Award winners receive a plaque and a $3000 grant to be used to assist in funding their research projects.