In 2014 the Rex Montgomery Biochemistry Scholarship was established by its benefactor Dr. Rex Montgomery, who held a distinguished career as a professor of Biochemistry at the University of Iowa . The scholarship is awarded to sophomore and junior Biochemistry majors, displaying excellence in both academics and the research endeavors. Jesse Cochran, a senior in the Abel lab group, was named a recipient of the 2018 Rex Montgomery Biochemistry Scholarship. Cochran has been working in the Abel lab for the last two years and has been intimately involved in two projects. Under the guidance of Dr. Yuan Zhang, Associate of Internal Medicine and researcher in the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Center, Cochran has been working to elucidate the connection between aberrant metabolism and heart failure. Furthermore, in a self-guided project, he is examining sex-differences in the weight and metabolic responses of mice to a ketogenic diet. When asked of his experience in the lab, Cochran expressed, “I’m very lucky to be in a lab composed of incredibly bright and intelligent individuals, who are working on interesting and ground-breaking projects.” Cochran plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. following graduation.
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