Wiess School Dean Matthews earns honors from YWCA of Houston

Wiess School Dean Matthews earns honors from YWCA of Houston
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The YWCA of Houston
has named Rice University’s Kathleen S. Matthews the
2002 Outstanding Woman of Achievement in Medicine, Science
and Technology.

Matthews, dean
of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and the Stewart
Memorial Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, was
honored by the YWCA for her scholarly achievements, her
efforts to improve cooperation and joint research among
Houston-area institutions of higher education and her work
to promote science education for Houston children.

She received
the award this month along with a congressional certificate
of commendation for outstanding achievement from Houston
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

“The YWCA
of Houston is well-known for its efforts to educate and
improve the quality of life of women in Houston,” Matthews
said. “It’s a terrific honor to be recognized
by this dedicated organization.”

Matthews joined
Rice’s faculty 30 years ago, served as chair of the
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology from 1987-1995
and became dean of the Wiess School in 1998.

Matthews’
research has attracted continuous funding from the National
Institutes of Health for 27 years as well as support from
other sources, including the National Science Foundation
and The Robert A. Welch Foundation.

Her research
focuses on protein-DNA interactions involved in regulating
gene expression, an essential function in all organisms.
Through a broad range of experimental methods, Matthews
is exploring the molecular and energetic basis of DNA recognition,
protein assembly and conformational allostery within specific
genetic regulatory proteins.