Dr. Sower is a leading investigator in the area of fish endocrinology. The problem addressed is to develop molecular genetic approaches to the study of fish endocrinology and reproductive biology. 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.