UA Student Wins Prestigious Biology Prize

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Cody Locke, a freshman honors student from Boaz majoring in biology at The University of Alabama, has received the Benjamin Cummings Biology Prize.

The Cummings Prize is a $1,000 grant awarded to only four students nationally each year. The Benjamin Cummings Co., a division of Pearson Education and Addison-Wesley, publishes the general biology textbooks used at UA. Competition for the award was open to students of any institution where Benjamin Cummings biology texts are used. Pearson books reach more than 100 million people worldwide.

Locke, son of Mickey and Patsy Locke, is a first-generation college student. He was nominated by Dr. Guy Caldwell, UA assistant professor of biological sciences, for the prestigious Cummings Prize. Inspired by Caldwell while taking an introductory honors biology course, Locke has begun early research work in Caldwell’s laboratory. His work in the laboratory includes research into the molecular basis of epilepsy and already represents a significant part of an upcoming manuscript to be submitted this fall.

Caldwell believes the sky is the limit for Locke, and he relishes the opportunity to aid him in his young career as a biologist. “I am simply providing a canvas on which this young painter can practice his first brush strokes, while simultaneously learning what it takes to create a masterpiece in research,” Caldwell said. “Cody has the brains and, more importantly, the work ethic to do just that. Only increased experience and patience with the process stand in his way.”

Locke, who aspires to be a Ph.D. researcher and professor, attributes his success so far to the instruction he has received at UA. “My reception of the Benjamin Cummings Biology Prize serves as yet another example of the quality education offered here at the Capstone,” Locke says.

He believes he can make a difference and increase the quality of life for our society, and that realization has fueled him to reach the highest goals possible. “My research will potentially lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of epilepsy, thus facilitating treatment of this terrible disease.”

The Cummings Prize was also awarded to students from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., Minnesota State University in Moorheard, Minn., and The University of California at Santa Barbara.