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Krings outstanding grad by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations Having authored three journal papers from his thesis project, plus another one due out this month, Gregor Krings, MD, Ph.D., is this year’s Outstanding Graduate of the Year from the College of Graduate Studies.   Krings studied molecular biology in the DNA replication lab of Deepak Bastia, Ph.D., the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley chair in Biomedical Sciences. Specifically, Krings pursued his research on fission yeast genes that are very important in cancer research.   “He’s one of the two best students I have ever seen, including those at Duke, where I was a professor before coming to MUSC; and he is the best student I’ve seen at MUSC,” said Bastia, who also was Krings’ mentor.   A German national born in India, Krings moved to Charleston at age 7 after his father, a mechanical engineer, got a job here. Krings earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. In July, he will begin his residency in the Department of Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard), which he hopes will launch a career in clinical and scientific research.   Krings credits his experience in Bastia’s lab with providing him a solid foundation in molecular biology and yeast biology, and a confidence to develop and carryout independent scientific research. "Of course, I also learned the importance of innumerable intangible things, such as communication skills, patience, and humility,” he added.   Papers he has co-authored with Bastia, medicine and pathology professor Maria Lopes-Virella, M.D., Ph.D., and COM professor Gabriel Virella, M.D., Ph.D., included important findings related to DNA replication research and vascular disease.   Krings also credits guidance from Virella and Lopes-Virella that helped him establish a path in biomedical research.     Friday, May 16, 2008 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.