PHILADELPHIA -- University of Pennsylvania graduate student Kelly George is among five women to be honored for their achievements and promising scientific research as part of the L'Oreal USA for Women in Science Fellowship Programme. George will be awarded an education and research grant of $20,000 during a reception to be held at the New York Academy of Sciences.

She is currently a doctoral student in the organic chemistry program of the Department of Chemistry in Penn School of Arts and Sciences.  Her research focuses on the synthesis of natural products from plants and fungi, recreating biologically active and medicinally significant in the laboratory.  Her goal is to work as a synthetic organic chemist in the private sector where she can develop new pharmaceuticals.

"Kelly is an outstanding individual, capable of chemistry at a very high level, but it is her more intangible qualities that really set her apart," said Gary Molander, George advisor and a chemistry professor.  "In her time here she has created study groups for women in chemistry and an outreach program to bring chemistry to local schools. She a natural leader who really knows how to bring people together."

Launched in March 2003, the L'Oreal USA Fellowship Programme seeks to advance the careers of promising young women scientists at the beginning of their careers.