2021 Mescher Scholars
2021 Mescher Scholars
Nicole Bonfig
Nicole graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Microbiology. Nicole was involved during her undergraduate years in studying the epidemiology of pulmonary hypertension and myocardial infarction. During her summer research experience, Nicole worked with Dr. Alex Khoruts to investigate the effects of Cystic Fibrosis disease on the production and function of gut mucus, and the role that abnormal mucus may play in the development of colon cancer. Her gut histochemistry/imaging studies detailed the effects of altered mucus on gut barrier integrity and resistance to genotoxins.
Mucus is more than meets the nose
Dabel Emebo
Dabel is a graduate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor with a BS in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, where she had a long period of involvement in research on the effect of drug therapies on the cytoskeletal apparatus and published two papers on leukocyte adhesion. Following graduation, she also investigated neutrophils and platelets as a research technician. During her summer research with Dr. Kristin Hogquist, Dabel utilized flow cytometry to determine the role of IL4 in T cell development in the thymus. She discovered that in the absence of IL4 signaling, developing thymocytes experienced a reduction in TCR signaling, reduced negative selection, but increased Treg cell differentiation.
Understanding the effect of IL-4Ra on T-Cell development
Amera Hassan
Amera graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Human Physiology. As an undergraduate, Amera investigated white matter connectivity in the posteromedial cortex of macaques. She was also involved in clinical research in the Department of Neurosurgery. Working with Dr. Kirsten Nielsen this past summer, she investigated the expression of activating and inhibitory receptors on NK cells responding to Cryptococcus Neoformans. Her work has helped determine the mechanism by which Cryptococcus inhibits the cytotoxic function of NK cells.
'Cryptococcus neoformans' EvadesNatural Killer Cell Biomarker Release
Cody Hou
Cody graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS degree in Biochemistry. He had previously been heavily involved in research investigating novel antimicrobials produced by Basidiomycota fungi and Streptomyces bacteria. He had also worked for more than a year on clinical cardiovascular research projects that led to multiple publications. As a fellow in Dr. David Boulware’s group this summer, Cody examined whether blood pressure changes affect cerebral perfusion and morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS-associated Cryptococcal meningitis. Both hypo- and hypertension were independent risk factors for poor outcome in meningitis.
Susan Molina
Susan graduated from Northwestern University with a BS in Biomedical Engineering. During her time at Northwestern, Susan devised an alternative oxygen-monitoring system for neonates. She also investigated the properties of underwater adhesives using nanoscale molecular dynamics. As a T35 summer trainee, Susan worked with Dr. Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari to build an artificial lymph node. She worked to optimize the sprouting and growth of capillaries from endothelial cell precursors. She identified a particular ratio of human lymphatic fibroblasts to human lymphatic endothelial cells that optimized vessel growth.