Dan Rizzolo, a Ph.D. candidate in the JGPT, has been awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award F31 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.  F31 fellowship awards are designed to develop promising predoctoral students into productive, independent research scientists through mentored research training.  Dan is investigating the mechanism by which fibroblast growth factor 19, a key regulator of bile acid homeostasis, alters drug metabolism.  Many steps in the fibroblast growth factor 19 pathway are currently being targeted for therapeutic intervention in disease pathologies.  Dan’s research will enhance the field’s understanding of intracellular signaling following fibroblast growth factor receptor activation, which has potential implications for patient safety.  Dan is conducting his dissertational research under the tutelage of his mentor, Dr. Grace Guo.