I am a fourth-year Schreyer Scholar studying biochemistry and molecular biology on the pre-medical track. My research experiences have ranged from bioinformatics and genomics to biophysics and cell biology. After graduating from Penn State, I hope to attend medical school to become a clinician-scientist!
Current Research Project:
Neuron Injury Response: cell signaling and dynamics of microtubule nucleation
Project Description:
My work aims to characterize the link between clathrin-mediated endocytosis and local microtubule nucleation in dendrites. Microtubule nucleation is critical in neurodevelopment, as defects in this cellular process can progress into structural abnormalities often observed in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using Drosophila model systems, genetic manipulation techniques, and fluorescence confocal microscopy, we are investigating the upstream effects that endocytosis exerts on local nucleation, which has introduced a new relevance of a neuron's surroundings in the development of its cytoskeletal structure.
Mentor(s):
Dr. Melissa Rolls and Pankajam Thyagarajan
Major(s):
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Email:
Campus:
University Park
Pronouns:
she, her, hers
Advising Topics:
Finding research mentors
Contacting Faculty
Presenting research
Applying to an REU
Developing a research topic
Getting published
Applying for the Erickson Discovery Grant
List any topics you would like to talk with your peers about not listed above:
Medical school application