21 October 1955
Dear Dr. Heppel,
At the present time I am a graduate student in the Biochemistry Department at Yale University and expect to complete the work for the Ph.D. degree by September 1956. Dr. Joseph Fruton, my thesis director, suggested that I write to you concerning the possibility of spending a year in your laboratory as a post-doctoral fellow, I plan to apply to the National Science Foundation and the United States Public Health Service for a post-doctoral fellowship for the year 1956-57 and believe that the year would contribute greatly to my training if I could spend it working under your direction.
I must explain that my own presence in the Washington area depends on my husband's success in obtaining a desired position. We will not know definitely about that until March or April of 1956, and I wanted you to be aware of this situation in considering my application.
My thesis problem is to study the enzyme phosphoamidase in beef spleen and thus far the work has included the preparation of synthetic substrates, enzyme purification and the study of the properties of the partially purified preparation.
During the first week of December I will be in Washington and I could come and talk with you if that is convenient. If you would like a resume of my qualifications and education I would be happy to send it to you before then.
Respectfully yours,