Kathryn Holstein

Kathryn Holstein

Major
Biology

Graduated
Magna cum laude in 2008 with honors in biology

Honor Thesis
Characterization of Tbx Orthologs in a Basal Metazoan

Beckman Mentor
April Hill, Ph.D.

Currently
Pursuing a Ph.D. in developmental biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas

Awards

  • 2008 Betz-Harlan Endowed Scholarship, Baylor College of Medicine
  • 2008 Michael A. DeBakey Scholarship for most outstanding applicant to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine
  • 2007 Arnold and Mabel Beckman Scholar
  • 2006 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Research Fellow, The Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania
  • 2007 Tri Beta Biology Honor Society
  • 2006 University of Richmond Board of Trustees Student Representative
  • 2006 Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society
  • 2008 Golden Key Honor Society
  • 2005 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Research Fellow
  • 2004 Richmond Forum Isocretean
  • 2004 Ethyl and Albemarle Science Scholar
  • 2004 National Merit Finalist Scholar

Publications as a Beckman Scholar

  1. “Fern-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are represented by multiple Glomus spp.: do environmental factors influence partner identity?” Kay Holstien, B. West, J. Brandt, April Hill, and M. Hill, Mycorrhiza, 2009 19, 295-304.
  2. “Early Diversification of the T-box Gene Family in Early Animal Evolution,” Kay Holstien, S. Ding, M. Hill and April Hill, in preparation for submission to Development, Genes, and Evolution 2009.

Scientific Presentations as a Beckman Scholar

  1. “Duplication and Diversification of the T-box Gene Family: Key in Early Animal Evolution” Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Symposium, University of Richmond, September 2007, Kay Holstien and April Hill (platform presentation)
  2. “Early Diversification of the T-box Gene Family in the Poriferan Lineage” 2008 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, Kay Holstein, Malcolm Hill, and April Hill
  3. “Fern-associated Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi are Represented by Multiple Glomus spp.: Do Environmental Factors Influence Partner Identity?” 2008 Arts and Sciences Research Symposium, University of Richmond, April 2008, Kay Holstien, Brittany West, Jessica Brandt, April Hill and Malcolm Hill.
  4. “Unexpected Diversity of T-box Lineage in Basal Animals” 2008 Arts and Sciences Research Symposium, University of Richmond, April 2008, Kay Holstien and April Hill.
  5. “Early Diversification of the T-box gene family in the Poriferan Lineage,” 2008 Beckman Scholars Conference, Irvine, CA, Kay Holstien and April Hill

Scientific Presentations on Beckman research since entering graduate school

  1. “Evolution of T-boxes and the Origins of Gastrulation in a Sponge-like Ancestor.” 2009 Society for Developmental Biology Northwest Regional Meeting, Friday Harbor Labs, University of Washington, Pam Windsor, Kay Holstien, Sally Leys, and April Hill.