Bio
Hometown: San Jose, California
Beckman Scholars Program Project Title: “Investigating the role of DPP-IV in dermal fibrosis”
Mentor: Radhika Atit, Department of Biology
Beckman Scholars Program Project Details
Elevator Speech
Fibrosis is a devastating disorder that affects many tissues in the body including the skin, liver, kidneys, intestines, and heart. Fibrosis is defined by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in addition to the loss of fat in many tissues. Currently, there is no cure for fibrosing diseases, therefore, better understanding the mechanism that fibrosing diseases undertake is crucial in determining new treatments that consider different aspects of the disease at once. The Atit Lab identified Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) as a new responsive target that may play roles in both aspects of fibrosis. The work done in the lab will facilitate discussion regarding the roles that DPP-IV plays in both ECM remodeling and fibrotic fat loss. Additionally, DPP-IV already has FDA approved inhibitors for its role in diabetes. Hopefully, therapies for fibrosis are in the making.
Reflection
"After taking my Beckman interview the same week that the COVID-19 pandemic was started, I was unsure how I would begin the Beckman Scholars Program, however, I was only met with support from my PI, Dr. Atit, and the rest of the members of the Atit Lab. Plus, Dr. Pedigo and the other SOURCE administrators were more than helpful to me. I was able to take part in all of the SOURCE meetings, meet other Undergraduate Research Students and learn about a ton of projects that I was not expecting. Returning back to the lab was difficult, but after the initial shock of seeing everyone in person, I learned so much about performing research. I have been able to explore analysis techniques when working from home and have developed and fine-tuned analysis techniques. Overall, even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beckman Scholars Program was an amazing learning opportunity."
Presentations
- "DPP-IV: A mediator for all things fibrosis." Oral Presentation at CWRU SOURCE Intersections, May 2021.