Dorian R
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Expertise
cellular biology, biology of neurological or inflammatory diseases, development of new medications
Bio
As a biomedical researcher, I'm fascinated by the interfaces between disparate systems. What do an antidepressant medication and a bacterial infection have in common? How do the cellular "postal service" and the cellular "power plant" act upon each other in the pancreases of diabetes patients? These are the types of questions I studied for my PhD and postdoctoral projects, using the intricate inner workings of cells as a lens into the therapeutic possibilities for treating human diseases. In my personal life, I'm also a science hobbyist! I train rescue parrots using positive psychology techniques and study their mental processes. I make abstract paintings that depict scientific concepts. In the rare hours when I'm not thinking about science, I like to play video games, go running, and practice violin.Project ideas
Using old medicines in a new way
In this project, you will propose a new way to treat a human disease by finding a new use for an existing medication, a strategy called "drug repurposing." You will select a human disease that interests you, such as Alzheimer's disease or rheumatoid arthritis, to study carefully. You will learn how the disease process occurs and what medications are currently used to treat it. Then, you will search for other medications that might have beneficial effects on relevant physiological pathways. After collecting this information, you will write a persuasive review outlining the factual support, possible advantages, and potential challenges for "re-purposing" your chosen medication. By completing this project, you will gain a deep understanding about the specific biology of a human disease. You will also learn about how new medications are discovered, and how scientific ideas make their way through the various stages of preclinical and clinical testing to become medicine.
Write an academic article
In this project, you will learn all the skills you need to write a scientist-quality article for publication or inclusion in your portfolio. First, you will narrow down a specific biomedical topic that interests you. Then, we will work together to critically read and interpret professional academic literature. Finally, you will learn how to synthesize what you have read and present it in a professional format. You will also learn about how to succeed in the scientific publication process.