Bad Religion has selected Lena Nicolai, a University of Michigan graduate student in biology, as the first winner of its band-sponsored research grant.

Spearheaded by vocalist Greg Graffin, who himself is pursing a doctoral degree at Cornell, Bad Religion organized the grant last fall (see [article id="1425294"]"Bad Religion Establish Research Grant"[/article]), and Graffin personally reviewed more than 200 proposals from high school and college students.

In winning the grant, Nicolai will receive close to $4,000 to pursue a research project dealing with forest regeneration. Perhaps a more rockin' award, Nicolai has also been placed permanently on the band's guest list, entitling her to lifetime access to any and all Bad Religion shows

Touring as part of this year's Warped Tour, Bad Religion, along with Rancid, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, NOFX and the Specials, among others, will play Salt Lake City and Denver this weekend.