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Erika B

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Cornell University

Expertise

Biology

Bio

I am currently a PhD candidate at Cornell University in the field of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology. I am interested in understanding a group of proteins that localize to a specialized compartment of primary cilia. Mutations in these proteins are known to cause a type of cystic kidney disease. I am using C. elegans as a model system to investigate the function of these proteins in vivo. I completed my undergraduate work at The University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, where I received degrees in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology and in Biomathematics. My undergraduate research focused on determining the effect of oxidative stress on the subcellular localization of the microtubule stabilizing protein tau in cultured neurons.

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.

Protein structure and function

In this project, you will use PyMOL to visualize protein structure and connect structural observations to functional consequences. You will choose a specialized class of proteins to focus on (some examples include kinases or potassium ion channels), and learn the biochemical mechanism that results in a function unique to the protein class. By the completion of the project, you will write a review paper describing the relevant background literature, the mechanism of action of the protein, and the figures you generated throughout the project using PyMOL.

Using model organisms to study disease

You will learn about a diverse array of model organisms used in scientific research to study disease. For your project, you will choose a disease or group of related diseases that interests you, and investigate the current model organisms for the disease. By the completion of your project, you will write a review paper that gives an overview of the disease, descriptions of current models, and a critical analysis of the disease models (for example, what are the strengths and drawbacks of different disease models? What would the ideal model account for?).

Mathematical modeling of biological processes

In this project, you will learn the foundations of mathematical modeling strategies. To expand on this foundational knowledge, you will investigate a biological process that interests you (examples include modeling a particular disease or modeling the kinetics of protein interactions), and design a mathematical model for this process. By the completion of the project, you will generate a report of your model which will detail the relevant background information (including the specific question your model addresses), the rationale and equations for the model, and simulations of the model (with a summary of the information they provide).

Teaching experience

Last fall, I taught Computer Graphics and Molecular Biology for undergraduates (juniors/seniors), in which we visualized complex biomolecules using computer graphics techniques. Currently, I am mentoring an undergraduate in our lab, who is working to understand transcriptional changes during C. elegans molting cycles by analyzing RNA sequencing data. Additionally, I have done some short-term mentoring in the form of one-day science activity workshops for elementary and middle school-aged students. Some examples include volunteering at the Expanding Your Horizons workshop at Cornell University, traveling to local elementary schools to perform demonstrations of basic properties of senses (taste and smell), and hosting workshops in the Ithaca-area public parks. When I was an undergraduate, I was a teaching assistant for the cell biology course (offered to sophomore, junior, senior undergraduates). This involved demonstrating techniques, providing feedback on assignments, and development of independent research projects. I also tutored other undergraduate students in mathematics, and I volunteered as a teaching assistant at a local Montessori kindergarten/ preschool.

Credentials

Education

The University of Scranton
BS Bachelor of Science (2018)
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
Cornell University
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology

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