ATHENS, Ohio (May 30, 2001) -- Sandra Bishop, a chemistry graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the first $25,000 J. Edgar Hoover Foundation Scientific Scholarship to support her research into the detection of "date rape" drugs, specifically GHB, in victims at low concentrations. The presentation was made Wednesday, May 30, during a ceremony on campus.

"The problem with these drugs is they produce amnesia, causing their victims to be confused, and several days may pass before they fully understand what has happened," said Bruce McCord, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the college of arts and Sciences and Bishop's faculty research advisor. "By the time the victim realizes the need to report the incident to the police, the concentration of the drug may be too low to detect. Sandra's research looks at ways to determine low concentrations of these drugs."

"As these drugs become more popular, this type of detection is something that's needed and is very practical for law enforcement purposes," Bishop said.

Bishop, a native of Caledonia, N.Y., is pursuing a doctorate in analytical chemistry. She has done considerable research as a drug evidence chemist.

"Having had the opportunity to meet Sandy, I am very impressed with her. Her qualifications, interests, talents and accomplishments are remarkable," said William D. Branon of Gates Mills, Ohio, a director and vice president of the Hoover Foundation.

The project she is researching ties into Bishop's desire to combine her academic pursuits with law enforcement purposes. During her undergraduate academic career at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology, Bishop worked for the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office in New York state.

"It's a big honor to receive this award," Bishop said. "The money will be a boost to my research and open more options." She plans to use the money to travel to conferences to make presentations, to apply toward tuition and to collaborate with fellow researchers at the University of California in Berkeley and in Washington, D.C.

Bishop plans to continue this type of research in her career. "I would like to stay within the government realm of forensic toxicology, whether for a local or national agency," she said.

The J. Edgar Hoover Foundation scholarship program is intended to encourage students to complete their scholastic work and enter the field of law enforcement. The foundation has awarded more than 800 grants and scholarships.