UNE neuroscience major Jordan Faloon awarded prestigious ASPET Fellowship

Jordan Faloon, a junior in the new undergraduate neuroscience major at UNE, was awarded an ASPET Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship for 2010. The ASPET fellowship is awarded to undergraduate students with the goal of allowing them the chance to be introduced to pharmacology research in order to gain a heightened interest in a science-based career.

Jordan has been working in the laboratory of Ed Bilsky, Ph.D., in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her research involves characterizing novel compounds that inhibit a key enzyme involved in endocannabinoid signaling. These so called FAAH inhibitors increase levels of an endogenous compound that reduces the inflammatory response to tissue injury and associated pain. The work is being done in collaboration with Dr. Dale Boger, an internationally know medicinal chemist at the Scrips Research Institute in La Jolla California.

Jordan is a Maine native, growing up in Medway, a small town outside of Millinocket. In addition to conducting biomedical research, Jordan is also an active member of the UNE EMS club. She also has an oustanding academic record, being named to the Dean's list each semester she has been at UNE.