Research Assistant: Regulation of Translation in Human Cytomegalovirus
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Geballe Lab, Human Biology Division
Most people are infected with human cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes family. In immunocompetent adults, infection is often asymptomatic, although it may play a subtle role in a variety of health conditions. In immunocompromised people, the virus may cause severe disease, and infections during pregnancy may lead to congenital disabilities. No vaccine for cytomegalovirus currently exists. Some of the research I performed in this role was indirectly associated with the ultimate goal of developing a cytomegalovirus vaccine. Other research focused on a unique mechanism the virus uses to regulate the expression of a protein called UL4.
In this role, I used a variety of research techniques, including growing viruses in cell culture, treating infected cells, and measuring the effect of each treatment on viral propagation, RNA expression, and/or protein production. I isolated bacterial DNA, transfected human or guinea pig cells in cell culture, treated transfected cells, and measured the effect of each treatment on protein production.
GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCHER: Molecular Mechanisms of Sperm-Egg Fusion
UC Davis, Berger Lab, Animal Biology Graduate Group, Department of Animal Science
During fertilization, the membrane that surrounds the sperm must fuse with the membrane the surrounds the egg. In mammals, this process is incompletely understood. Based on what is known about other membrane and cell-cell fusion processes, proteins on the sperm and/or egg are thought to help facilitate membrane fusion, but these "fusogens" have not yet been identified.
For my PhD research, I performed an extensive review of the literature on cell and membrane fusion in various systems and developed a theoretical model of the mechanical components involved in membrane fusion. I attempted to identify interacting proteins on sperm and egg plasma membranes in the pig using immunoprecipitation. I also analyzed RNA-Seq data from human and cow eggs.
Smithsonian National Zoo, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Clouded leopards are an endangered species of wild cat that can be difficult to breed in captivity because males often attack females when they are first introduced. This study looked at whether medications could be used to reduce aggression in male clouded leopards. I served as an intern for three months, extracting hormones from clouded leopard feces.
Stanford University, Center for Conservation Biology
Tropical rainforests are home to an incredible variety of bee species, including orchid bees and social stingless bees. Much of the rainforest has been fragmented as land is cleared for human use, including coffee and cattle farming. This study looked at whether the size of a forest fragment affects the diversity and number of bees in the forest and neighboring agricultural land. I served as an intern for three months, netting and trapping bees in Costa Rica and identifying them using dichotomous keys. This research led to the discovery of a new species of bee.