Biochemistry major Loryn Leilani Holokai ‘16 has earned her Ph.D. in molecular genetics, microbiology and biochemistry from the University of Cincinnati.
After only 18 months into gastrointestinal cancer research, Holokai procured independent funding from the federal government through a grant, thereby releasing UC to fund another Ph.D. candidate.
She was the lead investigator in an article in PLoS Pathogens, one of six peer-reviewed publications she has co-authored. As a member of the Zavros Lab, she explored the realms of organoid development and pancreatic cancer research, earning her the Graduate Excellence in Research Award in molecular genetics, microbiology and biochemistry from UC’s College of Medicine.
Holokai is a 2012 graduate/valedictorian of Boardman High School and a 2016 graduate of Denison University. She has signed with Merck Pharmaceuticals and has accepted a two-year postdoctoral fellowship, where this month she will resume her gastrointestinal cancer research at Merck’s new facility in San Francisco.
