The IUBMB Tatenda Murigo Distinguished Scholarship in Biochemistry
The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) Tatenda Murigo Distinguished Scholarship in Biochemistry supports a female undergraduate student entering their final year of study in Zimbabwe and who has demonstrated excellence in pursuing a career in biochemistry and molecular biology. The US $5000 scholarship supports a year of study to complete a senior Honors project. This scholarship honors the memory of Tatenda Murigo, a BSc Honors student at the University of Zimbabwe who served as a representative for Africa on the leadership team of the IUBMB Trainee Initiative. Tatenda was not only an excellent student and researcher, she was also deeply committed to the promotion of science, particularly in Africa.
Candidacy
The Biochemistry Departments of the University of Zimbabwe, the National University of Science and Technology, the Midlands State University, and Chinhoyi University of Technology may each nominate up to three candidates for the IUBMB Tatenda Murigo Distinguished Scholarship in Biochemistry. Students are encouraged to nominate themselves by notifying the Chair of their Biochemistry Department. Nominees should exemplify the exceptional characteristics of Ms. Murigo herself: academic excellence, an aptitude for research, membership to/ active member of a local Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society, and a dedication to Science policy, science communication, and science advocacy, particularly for women and for the African continent.
Nomination Deadline
The deadline for receipt of nominations is May 01 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. Late applications will not be considered. The awardee will be notified by IUBMB on or before July 01 of the same year as nomination.
Nomination Materials
A nomination packet for any nominee will contain the following:
- A nomination letter from the institution that addresses the nominee’s academic excellence, her aptitude for research, membership to a local Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society and her dedication to science policy, science communication, and science advocacy, particularly for women and for the African continent. Nomination letters should not exceed 1000 words.
- A personal statement from the nominee herself that provides an overview of her Honors project and addresses her career goals. Personal statements should not exceed 500 words.
- A one-year budget not to exceed US $5000. Costs may include tuition, room and board or accommodations, other student fees, costs for traveling to and attending a scientific meeting, and materials for the project, including a personal computer and/or software.
Nominations must be submitted to the Chair of the IUBMB Fellowships Committee by completing the nomination form and will be reviewed by the members of the IUBMB Fellowships Committee.
Report
No later than three months after the completion of the award, a brief report must be submitted to the Chair of the IUBMB Fellowships Committee. The report must include a summary of the work undertaken during the award, a reflection on the ways in which the award helped advance or refine the career goals of the awardee, and receipts justifying the expenditures of the award. This award should be acknowledged in any publications, thesis reports, etc.
