Hannah Mirshahi

Hannah Mirshahi

I am a 3rd year Schreyer Scholar majoring in Biochemistry on the pre-medicine track at University Park. My research interests include molecular biology, genomics, and clinical translation. I am currently an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Melissa Rolls's neurobiology lab at Penn State. My project in the Rolls lab has helped characterize the relationship between microtubule nucleation and endocytosis, which introduces a significance of surrounding cell environments in the modulation of injury response in neurons.
I also work as a research intern for Geisinger's Departments of Genomic Health and Vascular Surgery, for which I investigated the genetic basis of thoracic aortic aneurysms. I now perform aortic segmentations and chart reviews for an upcoming clinical translation project.

I specialize in guidance with applying for the Erickson Discovery Grant, BMB SURF, and other scientific grant writing. I have also worked as a research intern at Geisinger and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute over the summer, so I am happy to help students find summer clinical research and wet lab research opportunities.
My experiences are most applicable for pre-health and biological sciences students, but I am happy to assist any students in identifying and securing research opportunities on the University Park campus!

Project Title: 
Investigating the Link Between Microtubule Nucleation and Clathrin-Mediated Endocytosis in Dendrites
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
Campus: 
University Park