Chicago, Illinois, United States
Passionate about studying disease evolution to inform preventive strategies.
During my time in Jason Smith's lab, I continued to improve my technical, project management, communication and mentorship skills. My primary focus was researching the intricate interactions between alpha-defensins -- an integral component of the innate immune system -- and non-enveloped viruses. Within this realm, I investigated the impact of defensins on viral infection dynamics, including capsid stability, cellular binding mechanisms, and intracellular trafficking pathways. I also successfully adapted rotavirus protein purification protocols to our laboratory setup, showcasing my problem-solving skills in experimental procedures. For my dissertation project, I employed a directed evolution approach to pinpoint specific rotavirus proteins that are instrumental in counteracting defensin-mediated viral inhibition. I collaborated closely with Alex Greninger's lab, and we used next-generation sequencing to identify mutant alleles of interest. I then generated rotaviruses that had our mutations of interest in a clean background using the plasmid-based reverse genetics system, which involved transfecting cells with 12 distinct plasmids. I tested each individual mutation's contribution to defensin resistance and began to assess how these mutations impact host cell binding in the presence of defensin. Future studies in the Smith lab will elucidate the mechanism of resistance these mutations provide. My research on how defensins alter the pathogenesis and evolution of non-enveloped viruses holds promise for the development of therapeutic drugs and enhancing vaccine effectiveness.
In addition to my research responsibilities, I had the privilege of directly mentoring an undergraduate student for two years in the Smith lab. I planned my experiments to align with her schedule, ensuring ample time to teach her essential techniques relevant to her project while fostering her independence over time. I also worked closely with her to guide the direction of her project and troubleshoot certain experiments with an emphasis on encouraging her active participation in problem-solving. Outside of the wet-lab, I assisted in editing award and graduate school applications. Her winning the 2022 UW Microbiology Undergraduate Research Award and being accepted into a PhD program are reflections of her dedication and hard work. I am proud of all that she accomplished during her time in the lab and I am grateful to have played a role in her academic and professional journey.
Led two different microbiology laboratory classes for undergraduate students. • Presented introductory microbiology concepts and demonstrated techniques, while emphasizing laboratory safety • Created an environment where all students felt comfortable answering questions during my pre-laboratory lectures and asking questions both during and after class • Listened to students’ questions with empathy, and sought out additional ways to explain concepts if my initial explanation was insufficient
In Dr. Brant Weinstein's lab, I delved into the mechanisms governing lymphatic vessel development in zebrafish, focusing particularly on microRNA-mediated control. Using confocal microscopy, I visualized perturbations in lymphatic vessel development within zebrafish embryos. Our investigations revealed that manipulating miR-204 levels resulted in significant alterations: knockdown led to the loss of lymphatic vessels, while overexpression facilitated their formation. Through rigorous experimentation, I determined that the microRNA's host gene did not exert any discernible influence on lymphatic vessel development. Additionally, I verified the existence of a putative microRNA binding site within the transcription factor NFATC1 using a luciferase reporter assay. This work has shed light on potential regulatory interactions crucial for understanding lymphatic vessel formation.
As an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Jean Greenberg's lab, I helped verify AZI1-like proteins involved with systemic acquired resistance in N. benthamiana. I cloned and genetically fluorescently tagged 21 genes suspected to be plastid membrane proteins into plasmids in E. coli. Next, I transferred the plasmids to Agrobacterium using electroporation before then infecting N. benthamiana to get those suspected genes expressed. Subsequently, I observed the sub-cellular localization of the fluorescent-tagged proteins using fluorescence microscopy.