PhD student Shandra Justicia has been selected to receive the prestigious American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Robert D. Watkins Graduate Fellowship. ASM's Robert D. Watkins Graduate Fellowship program is highly competitive, and is designed to increase the number of doctoral degrees awarded to members of underrepresented groups. The Robert D. Watkins Graduate Fellowship provides students with a stipend for three years, as well as travel to and accommodations at the annual ASM General Meetings and a visit to the ASM Kadner Institute one time during the three-year tenure of the fellowship.

Shandra Justicia received a dual degree in Industrial Biotechnology and Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Justicia entered the School of Biology's graduate program in Fall 2007, and is in the laboratory of Dr. Frank Löffler. Her research focuses on microorganisms that can be used in bioremediation, with a particular focus on microbes that can detoxify chlorinated methanes. These compounds have been widely used as solvents and reagents, and are widespread groundwater contaminants, posing risks to human and ecosystem health.