Yuan Tian Receives Brenton R. Lutz Award

Yuan Tian of the Man Lab is the recipient of this year’s Brenton R. Lutz Award. Yuan studies the UBE3A-dependent autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is one of the most common genetic factors in ASD etiology. Using transgenic mouse models, her research focuses on characterizing the sexually dimorphic behaviors, neuronal activity, gene expression and cellular features, as well as investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying sexually dimorphic changes in UBE3A-dependent ASD.

This award provides support for PhD candidates conducting research in neurobiology or neuroscience and have made significant contributions to their field. Brenton R. Lutz was the first person to receive an MD/PhD at Boston University, receiving his PhD in 1916. He later became a Professor and Chairman of BU’s Department of Biology. Dr. Lutz also gave the first University Lecture at BU on December 11, 1950 “The Living Blood Vessels.”

Congratulations, Yuan!