Prior to his entry into the Summer Medical Student Research Program, Forest Guilfoile developed technology to isolate very large bacteriophages with genomes >200 kbp. His
microscopy study of these bacteriophages led to publication with Forrest as a co-author. Forrest worked with Dr. David Masopust during the summer to establish the volume and phenotype of memory T lymphocytes present in mucosal tissues after LCMV infection, using advanced tissue clearing and histological examination of whole tissues.

3D Imaging of Whole Murine FRT using tissue clearing methods

Brandi Gorden entered the Summer Medical Student Research Program as an experienced scientist. She had previously investigated the gene expression signature and drug resistance of hemagiosarcoma cells, and published two first-author and two co-authorship papers on her work. During the summer, Brandi worked with Dr. Reuben Harris and investigated the role of p53 in the regulation of the cancer deaminase APOBEC3B using novel CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in cell lines.

Generation of TP53-Deficient Cell Lines Using the CRISPR/Cas9 Genomic Engineering System to Investigate the Role of p53 in the Regulation of the Antiviral and Cancer Genomic Deaminase, APOBEC3B

Gretchen Hoff previously carried out independent cancer-related health outcomes research in our Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. During her tenure at our Summer Program, Gretchen worked with Dr. Mike Verneris to study the relationship between serum cytokine levels and NK cell proliferation following cord blood transplantation for leukemia.

Characterizing IL-2, IL-12 and IL-15 Cytokine Levels Following Double Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant

Rebecca Kummer performed undergraduate chemistry research to synthesize novel antibacterial compounds. Although the compound she developed proved not to be a potent antibiotic, it did demonstrate a capacity to stimulate the expression of GCG/glucagon and work continues on its characterization. During her summer in our research program, Rebecca worked with Dr. Kristin Hogquist to investigate the mechanism of egress of mature thymocytes to the periphery using novel flow cytometric and histological techniques. She continues to carry out research in the Hogquist group.

IV-Enrichment for Preferential Labeling of Perivascular Emigrating Thymocytes

As an undergraduate, Linnea Swanson studied the role of mast cell inflammation in the chronic pain of vulvodynia. This work led to the publication of two manuscripts where Linnea is a co-author. This past summer, Linnea worked under Dr. Brian Fife to develop novel monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking pMCHII complexes that activate diabetogenic T cells. Linnea will be presenting her work as part of our program this spring at the American Society of Clinical Investigation Annual Meeting, and is currently applying for financial support from the HHMI for a year of paid basic laboratory research. 

Nicole Tomm carried out undergraduate research using mouse models of hippocampal memory development, and this work led to publication with Nicole as a co-author. This past summer in our research program, Nicole worked in Dr. Dan Kaplan’s lab to develop new pMHCII tetramer technologies that would allow for the tracking of T cell responses to allergens.

Development of Der p 1:IA^b tetramer to determine the impotance of MgI2+ dDCs for the induction of Th2 immunity in response to epidermal painting of house dust mite

If you are interested in learning more about the Summer Medical Student Research Program, or if you are interested in learning more about a particular research project done by one of our Mescher Scholars, please contact the program director Daniel Mueller