Bio
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Beckman Scholars Program Project Title: “The Effect of Cyclodextrin Polymer Coatings on Protein Adsorption to Biomaterial Surfaces – Towards Prevention of Post- Surgical Adhesions.”
Mentor: Julie Renner, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Beckman Scholars Program Project Details
Elevator Speech
Hernia mesh implants can lead to the formation of adhesions, in which scar tissue bridges two organs that are not supposed to be connected. This is because the hydrophobic surface of the implants promotes the adsorption and denaturation of proteins, which then causes adhesions. My project seeks to examine the protein resistance of beta-cyclodextrin (a molecule with a hydrophilic exterior and hydrophobic interior) using methods such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, contact angle, and ellipsometry. I will also examine the effect of complexing cyclodextrin with an antibiotic to see if there is an effect on protein resistance.
Reflection
"So far, I have learned that research is unpredictable and is an open-ended process. It takes perseverance to obtain publishable results and to keep going even when there seem to be a lot of obstacles. Overall, it has been an enriching experience to be able to work independently on a project and to engage in experiential learning."
Presentations
- "Investigation of the antifouling properties of Polyproline II Self-Assembled Monolayers." Oral Presentation, CWRU Intersections: SOURCE Symposium and Poster Session, Cleveland, OH, May 2021.
- "Investigation of the Antifouling Properties of Polyproline Self-Assembled Monolayers." PreRecorded Presentation, AICHE Annual Meeting, November 2020.
Publications
- J Hostert, C Loney, N Pramounmat, K Yan, Z Su, and JN Renner, Self-assembly and rearrangement of a polyproline II helix peptide on gold, Langmuir, 2021.
Honors and Awards
- NSF-GRFP Honorable Mention, 2021
- Case Alumni Association Junior/Senior Scholarship