Samantha L
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Emory University
Expertise
genetics, brain development, molecular biology, glia cells, stem cells, CRISPR, ethics, neuroscience, epigenetics
Bio
My name is Samantha Lanjewar and I am a PhD Candidate in the Genetics and Molecular Biology program at Emory University. I currently work in a lab that studies human brain development, researching how glial cells develop and contribute to neurodevelopment disorders using brain organoids as our model system. In undergrad, I worked in an animal reproduction lab and earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences. I have expertise in genetics, animal sciences, molecular biology, and neuroscience. In my free time, I love playing sports and traveling. A couple fun facts are that I have ran 2 marathons and I have been to 5 different continents! I am extremely passionate about mentorship and outreach, especially trying to increase representation and diversity in STEM, and I love to volunteer around my community.Project ideas
The Future of Gene Editing
CRISPR, a relatively new genomic editing tool, can change life around us. From creating disease-resistant crops and animals to editing the DNA in human cells, CRISPR has the power to help or hurt the world around us. In this project, you will explore the benefits and risks of using CRISPR technology. Your research will culminate in an article or blog posts informing the public about the pros/cons and ethical considerations of using gene editing in science.
Brain Cells Children's Book
I bet you've heard of neurons, but do you know what glial cells are? There are so many cell types in the brain working together to coordinate proper brain development and function. In this project, you'll research about the different cell types in the brain, such as glia. You'll learn about how they interact together, what functions they perform, and how they are messed up in neurological disorders. You'll turn all this knowledge into a children's book to teach kids about all the different cells in the brain!