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Daniel H

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Harvard University

Expertise

Biology, microbiology, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, physical biology

Bio

I am currently a Ph.D student in the MCO program at Harvard University with Ethan Garner. In our lab, we study the fundamental processes of growth and division of bacteria. I specifically work on understanding the patterns of cell wall insertion and removal and how this leads to interesting phenomena, such as cell wall twisting during growth. I am most interested in trying to understand the molecular mechanisms biology uses for processes, such as growth. I received my Baccalaureate degree from Oklahoma State University, where I studied microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics and did research on antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. My personal background has deep roots in being fascinated by nature, and to be observant and aware of our surroundings, as many key nuances to life are often overlooked and missed.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Size determination- Can we find patterns using genetics comparing synthesis enzymes?

Even in one shape set of organisms, say rod-shaped, there is a variety of widths that these organisms can have. Further, we know these organisms use peptidoglycan in their cell walls as the structural component, and although there are large similarities in the class of proteins that build the cell wall, there is still a large discrepancy for how this size variation arises. Can we go through all possible rod-shaped organisms, find there average diameter, and compare genetic sequences of their cell wall synthesis enzymes?

Outlining shapes of cells- Segmentation

One of the very first steps and problems in quantifying data from imaging is to draw an accurate outline around the cell- which we call segmentation. In this project, we will use and compare existing software to segment images of bacteria. The goal is to learn how these programs work, as well as optimize systems to segment a variety of shapes of cells.

Teaching experience

My teaching experiences have been from tutoring and as a Supplemental Instructor at Oklahoma State University for two and a half years. I have also done private tutoring while at OSU for two years.

Credentials

Education

Oklahoma State University
BS Bachelor of Science (2017)
Microbiology/Biochemistry
Harvard University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Microbiology, cellular biology, biophysics

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