Professor Amy Rowat (center) with the Co-Chairs of the Gold Shield Faculty Prize Committee: Michellene DeBonis (left) and Karren Ganstwig (right) [Photo courtesy of Rachelle Crosbie]
UCLA Life Sciences
On May 14, the UCLA campus community gathered to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of integrative biology and physiology professor Amy Rowat – the university’s latest Gold Shield Faculty Prize recipient. The highlight of the celebration was Rowat’s lecture, “The Mechanics of Cells: From Cancer Drugs to Future Foods,” an overview of her pioneering work and research.
Rowat’s lab focuses on understanding the biomechanical properties of cells and how these properties can be targeted to create more effective treatments for cancer, as well as to improve cultivated meat, advancing sustainable food options for the future.
In addition to her innovative research, Rowat has also taken a remarkably creative approach to teaching and public outreach, through the familiar lens of food and cooking. Her lauded courses have engaged thousands of students at UCLA (PhySci 7) and local K-12 students through a science and food course for LAUSD. She also drew many thousands of food-loving Angelenos to UCLA with her popular public lecture series, featuring conversations on timely topics with world renowned chefs like Alex Atala, Massimo Bottura, David Chang, and Alice Waters.
Rowat has been recognized for her numerous and notable academic and scientific achievements, and for her academic leadership. She co-led the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies as the inaugural faculty director, and is currently the Marcie H. Rothman Presidential Chair in Food Studies and a vice chair in the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology.