Hi there! I am a second-year BCMB
student in Dr. Junji Iwahara's lab and I earned my BS in biochemistry at
Nicholls State University in Louisiana. I am researching the structural and
biophysical impact of cysteine modifications on HMGB1, a potent signaling
protein that binds to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to amplify inflammation. By
utilizing NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectrometry, I will study
the structural differences in the HMGB1 protein based on chemical modifications
to the Cys106 residue. Using SPR-based kinetic assays, I will better understand
how the cysteine modifications affect HMGB1's ability to bind to TLR4 and
disrupt the inflammatory pathway. My goal in the lab is to provide impactful
research for chronic inflammatory diseases and provide deeper biophysical
insight on a highly conserved and relevant protein.
I was always a science lover and
frequented science and arts museums and STEM camps, but I first got involved
with research at my undergraduate institution. In this lab, I was focused
on identifying transposable elements in the red swamp crawfish for easier
comparison between native species and imported species. We utilized DNA
purification and amplification techniques to separate the transposable elements
and sequence them. I've also worked in protein biochemistry and biophysics
during an REU at Texas State University, where I was studying liquid liquid
phase separation of coilin, an intrinsically disordered protein implicated in
neurodegenerative disorders.
My interests and hobbies outside
of the lab include creating art, whether by drawing or writing. I am actually
working on a sci-fi novel right now during my down time between experiments and
research. I aspire to be a published author one day alongside my research and
scientific achievements.
