The Robert A. Welch Fellows Travel Award

The Robert A. Welch Travel Award was designed for postdoctoral fellows training in the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG). The Award provides up to $1,500 in financial support for a fellow to travel to attend a scientific conference with a focus on genetic or genomic technology.

The Award is named in honor of Robert A. Welch, the founding Director of Operations of the NCI-Frederick Cancer Genomics Research Laboratory (CGR), formerly known as the Core Genotyping Facility. Mr. Welch played a key role in developing and managing the CGR, which carries out large-scale studies of common genetic variations and cancer. His skill, dedication, and hard work were major contributions to the CGR's success. His commitment and leadership inspired his colleagues at the CGR and elsewhere, and the CGR continues to work toward his vision.

Former and Current Fellows

• 2009 - Jesus Gonzalez-Bosquet, M.D., Ph.D.
• 2010 - Hemang Parikh, Ph.D.
• 2012 - Wei Tang, Ph.D.
• 2015 - Jiyeon Choi, Ph.D.
• 2018 - Rouf Banday, Ph.D.
• 2019 - Ashley Jermusyk, Ph.D.

Selection Process

Candidates for the Robert A. Welch Travel Award are reviewed by the Senior Leadership in Genomics committee annually. The committee is comprised of the Director and Deputy Director of DCEG, Director of the Human Genetics Program, Director of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, and Chiefs of the Office of Education and the Laboratory of Translational Genomics. The committee ranks candidates and the final selection is made by the Director of DCEG.

Funding

The Fellowship is funded by donations from colleagues, family, friends, and companies through the Foundation for the NIH, and by the DCEG. Donations may be made online or by check to FNIH, designating that the gift is being made in honor of Robert A. Welch.