Dr. Owen is an outstanding investigator at a predominantly undergraduate institution, who has conducted quality research on the immune response. The problem addressed is the maturation of the immune response from primary to secondary antigen challenge. This award is a National Science Foundation Faculty Award for Women Scientists and Engineers. The proposal fulfills the FAW objectives, which are: 1, to recognize outstanding and promising women scientists and engineers in academic careers of research and teaching and 2, to facilitate the further development of their careers.