CSU Chemistry Ph.D. Student Recognized for Dedication to Clinical Research
Cleveland State University chemistry Ph.D. student Amanda Ifft was selected to apply for the HHMI Gilliam Fellows Program, an early-career initiative that supports Ph.D. students and their faculty advisers as they pursue ambitious scientific research and foster inclusive training environments.
The opportunity to apply is a prestigious honor and a testament to the recognition earned through this achievement.
The program is available to eligible second- and third-year Ph.D. students in the basic biological and biomedical sciences at an HHMI-eligible institution.
“We are honored that Amanda, one of our distinguished Ph.D. students, is being recognized for her hard work and dedication to clinical research,” said Professor and Chair Michael Kalafatis. “The Chemistry Department is delighted to know that Amanda has been selected for the HHMI Gilliam Fellowship and represents CSU and our collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. This fact brings immense pride and recognition to our Ph.D. program and to CSU.”
The program supports students and their faculty Ph.D. advisers as mentor-mentee pairs, providing Gilliam Fellows with up to three years of stipend support, a discretionary allowance during their doctoral training and professional development opportunities tailored to both students and advisers. Through HHMI Science Meetings and the Gilliam Annual Meeting, Fellows also join a collaborative scientific community spanning disciplines and career stages.
Kalafatis noted that Ifft’s dedication to academics and goal of pursuing a career in clinical chemistry distinguished her among her peers. He said Ifft ranks among the most thoughtful, driven and intellectually capable students he has encountered. She is collaborative, readily assists others with their projects, and knows when to follow instructions and when to take initiative.
“She is one of those individuals who can both follow instructions and take initiative, as appropriate,” he said. “She thrives on the ability to troubleshoot problems and to develop a plan of attack and has expressed her desire that she wants to combine her passion for instrumentation with the clinical laboratory, and she is insistent on pursuing a career in clinical chemistry.”
Kalafatis said CSU’s Ph.D. program in Clinical/Bioanalytical Chemistry is offered jointly by the Department of Chemistry at Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Clinic and is the only Ph.D. program in the country accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry (ComACC).
“The main goals of this high-level graduate education are to develop students with a specialized knowledge within a discipline, and to foster critical thinking,” he said.
“Ultimately, our program aims to prepare individuals to be leaders and experts in their chosen fields. Because of our loyalty to excellence in research and student success, we provide our students with real-world experiences including travel to national and international conferences, training with the latest and most up-to-date scientific equipment, publications in top tier scientific journals, and access to seminars by renowned speakers.”