COSAM News Articles 2022 March Dory Fawwal: 2022 Comer Medal for Excellence in Biological Sciences

Dory Fawwal: 2022 Comer Medal for Excellence in Biological Sciences

Published: 03/08/2022

Dory Fawwal will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology (Microbiology Option, Pre-Med) and a minor in Public Health.

During her time at Auburn, Dory’s research efforts have focused on describing novel Streptomyces spp. that produce antimicrobial compounds and characterizing their biosynthetic potential, as a response to increasing antibiotic resistance in developed countries. Dory was an undergraduate teaching assistant for microbiology labs, and she served as a COSAM Research Ambassador. She was awarded an undergraduate research fellowship through COSAM. She was also awarded 1^ST place overall at the 2020 COSAM Student Research Fair, and 1^ST place COSAM poster at the 2021 Auburn University Undergraduate Student Research Symposium.

Additionally, Dory served as a volunteer from Spring 2020 to Fall 2021 for The Campus Kitchen at Auburn University, a student community service organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in the Lee County area.

From Fall 2019 to present, Dory has been involved with Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization that promotes the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-to-one friendships. Dory has enjoyed spending time with her buddy, Amy, and serving as event coordinator by planning monthly events for the organization. During her time at Auburn, Dory has also enjoyed being a member of a social sorority.

As she reflects on her time at Auburn, Dory stated, “I would first like to honor my late father, whose sacrifice and dedication has paved the way for my success. I would like to thank my mother, who is and always will be my biggest supporter, my most admirable role model, and my bravest protector. I would also like to thank immediate and extended family for their support during some of the most challenging points in my life. I also thank Dr. Mark Liles for his mentorship and nomination for this award, the other faculty members who gave their time in support of my nomination, my graduate research mentor and friend Megan Sandoval-Powers for her continued support in my academic endeavors and beyond, and the rest of my community of friends, both at Auburn and elsewhere.”

After graduation, Dory plans to relocate to Atlanta and attend Emory University. She will pursue a PhD in Emory’s Biochemistry, Cellular, and Developmental program.