Through the generosity of several donors, the Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine is able to provide summer research fellowships to six outstanding Notre Dame undergraduates this summer. These students are pursuing cutting-edge research in the College of Science and the College of Engineering. “The opportunity for these bright and talented undergraduates to pursue full-time research during the summer is a valuable component of their undergraduate experience,” says Professor David Hyde, Director of the Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine. “We are fortunate to have donors that understand and appreciate the value of undergraduate research and support our mission in this area.”
The recipients of the 2018 Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships are:
College of Science
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Seok Hee Jang (Jenny), a science-business major, will conduct research in the lab of Dr. Richard Dahl to expand her knowledge and techniques in regulating hematopoietic stem cell differentiation through microRNA/E3 ubiquitin ligase networks. After graduation, Jenny will pursue a degree in either Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Osteopathic Doctor (DO).
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Jacob Kalathoor, a biological sciences major, will continue his work with Dr. David Hyde and Dr. Manuela Lahne to determine the role of myosin heavy chain 10 during interkinetic nuclear migration in the regenerating zebrafish retina. After graduation, Jacob plans to enter a combined MD/PhD program with his PhD focus in regenerative genetics.
- Reina Koran, a biochemistry major, will test the function of the Tnfrsf1a receptor in retinal regeneration with Dr. David Hyde and Dr. Leah Campbell. At graduation, Reina intends to pursue a PhD in an area related to stem cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.
- Grace Zhang is a biological sciences major who will continue her research over the summer with Dr. David Hyde and Dr. Manuela Lahne. Grace will use genetic approaches to modify the expression of the Atoh7 transcription factor and determine if it changes the commitment of progenitor cells becoming regenerated neurons as it does in retinal development. After graduation, Grace plans to attend medical school and pursue an MD/PhD.
College of Engineering
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Stephen Landy, a mechanical engineering major, previously worked on a project that aims to scale down a myocardium-on-a-chip (MoC) platform developed in the lab of Dr. Pinar Zorlutuna. Stephen will continue his research this summer in optimizing the manufacturing and seeding of the scaled-down, second-generation microfluidic MoC. After graduation, Stephen plans to attend medical school.
- Seth Tautges is a chemical engineering major who will continue working with Dr. Jeremiah Zartman this summer researching the role of Ca2+ signaling in tissue generation. Upon graduation, Seth intends to enter medical school to become a trauma surgeon.
Originally published by at stemcell.nd.edu on May 08, 2018.