United States
I am a Duke Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. student studying how the O-GlcNAcylation of proteins regulates cell signaling and biological processes, specifically intracellular protein trafficking. Although this is my current niche, I previously studied norovirus pathogenesis for 4 years, and am broadly interested in anything within the fields of microbiology, drug discovery, and biochemistry. I also have an interest in science communication and mentorship!
• In collaboration with Amgen Biotech • Working with Duke Amgen Scholars leadership to help organize orientation, weekly research-related seminars, professional development seminars, and community building activities for undergraduate research scholars
Principal Investigator: Michael Boyce, Ph.D. • Studying how a non-canonical form of glycosylation, O-GlcNAcylation regulates cell signaling and intracellular protein trafficking of various cargos, including collagens
• Trained as a peer writing tutor for University of Florida's Writing Studio • Facilitated the writing process of course-assigned essays, academic reports, personal statements, etc. for the University of Florida undergraduate and postgraduate student body.
Courses TA'd: General Chemistry 1, Organic Chemistry 1, Organic Chemistry 2, and Biochemistry Lab • Facilitated students’ mastery of content through biweekly office hours, clarifying concepts, answering questions, hosting exam reviews, and preparing practice exam questions • Assisted students through weekly molecular biology and biochemistry-related experiments
Principal Investigator: Stephanie Karst, Ph.D. • Studied disease mechanisms caused by norovirus through a murine norovirus (MNV) model system • Elucidated pathways of MNV transcytosis across mucosal barriers through the development of an MNV reporter as a tool to track virus inoculum • Determined tissue and cellular tropism during symptomatic MNV infection in a neonatal mouse model • Leveraged comparative virology across different strains of MNV to determine virulence factors
• Investigated murine norovirus transcytosis across mucosal barriers and cellular targets of replication
Principal Investigator: Qiu Wang, Ph.D. • Contributed towards developing a methods for allylic amination of alkenes to afford tertiary allylic amine-containing heterocycles.