Ashleigh Theberge receives Schmidt Sciences Polymath honors
UW's Ashleigh Theberge receives Schmidt Sciences Polymath honors for ‘boundary-pushing work’ in cell signaling, communication
Theberge is co-principal investigator of the Bioanalytical Chemistry for Medicine and the Environment Laboratory with Erwin Berthier, UW 
affiliate professor of chemistry. They study the chemical signals that cells use to communicate with one another. The organization of our bodies, with different types of cells taking on discrete functions, depends on this biochemical language.
“I am very grateful for this funding which will enable us to explore new research directions with the goal of both better understanding molecular mechanisms and improving patient care,” said Theberge, who is also an adjunct faculty member in the UW Department of Urology.
“This award is a testament to the visionary interdisciplinary research program led by Professor Ashleigh Theberge, which lies at the intersection of analytical chemistry, chemical biology, and human health,” said Munira Khalil, professor and chair of chemistry at the UW.
Theberge’s research has numerous applications in medicine, environmental science and beyond. She is pursuing the chemical mechanisms underlying asthma, allergy, infectious diseases, urologic conditions, kidney disease, rheumatic conditions and environmental exposure to different substances. She is a KRI investigator.
Her team’s efforts include developing analytical chemistry tools to advance medicine, such as biomimetic microfluidic systems for integrated cell culture and analysis and at-home sampling tools for diagnostics and environmental monitoring.
