Where are you from and what’s your previous training? Why Madison and the Cancer Biology program?
I graduated summa cum laude from St. Norbert College in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology (biomedical sciences) and Spanish. During my three years in undergrad, I worked with Dr. Russ Feirer studying the sensitization of breast cancer cells in combined treatment of dichloroacetate with either buthionine sulfonimine or auranofin. During this time, I also participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research at the Medical College of WI (MCW) where I worked with Dr. Brian Hoffmann studying the changes in endothelial cell surface glycosylation caused by hyperglycemia. My interest in research began in high school, where I was offered “Project Lead the Way” courses through the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Through these classes, I was also able to participate in MSOE’s “Students Modeling a Research Topic” program where I work with MCW Professor Dr. Mark McNally and presented his research on the RNA-binding molecule, Serine Rich Splicing Factor 2, at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Annual Meeting in 2018.
During this time, I also participated in a research program at Marquette University – SMARTquette – that provided high school students with exposure to lab techniques, such as protein purification and x-ray crystallography, and offered a perspective into possible career options as a scientist. Ultimately, I found enjoyment through all aspects of these experiences and knew that one day I wanted to pursue an educational path that would lead to the honor of having Ph.D. placed behind my name. When applying to graduate school, I was excited to find that UW Madison’s Cancer Biology Program offered mentorship by prominent researchers as well as abundant opportunities to grow as a scientist. The classes offered and people I have met through this program will continue to support my journey of pursuing a degree in this field.
What was your favorite place/activity to hang out when you need to de-stress?
Outside of research, I enjoy golfing, reading, hiking, and playing violin, piano, and guitar. I also enjoy going to memorial terrace with students in our program or having game nights with my lab!
What is your home lab and what is your project focusing on?
I joined Jason Cantor’s Lab at the Morgridge Institute for Research. Our lab is generally interested in understanding how environmental factors influence both basic cell physiology and drug activity in blood cancer cell lines. Through this understanding, we hope to (I) uncover new targetable vulnerabilities in human cancers; and (II) leverage our findings to propose new cancer treatment strategies that incorporate either the direct modulation of environmental factors or the use of immunotherapies with improved efficacy. My main project is focused on examining the conditional CRISPR phenotype for AZIN1 – an RPMI-essential gene that encodes Antizyme Inhibitor 1 – a positive regulator of polyamine synthesis. My lab identified the conditional essentiality of AZIN1, along with hundreds of genes spanning several biological processes that are either more, less, or even non-essential in physiologic verses conventional media by performing a genome wide CRISPR-based forward genetic screen of cells grown in these conditions. AZIN1 was identified as among the strongest conditionally essential hits from our screens. However, since polyamines are not among the defined components in the media that we used to perform these screens, the cause for why AZIN1 is RPMI-essential is not immediately apparent. The broad goals of my work are to identify the underlying cause (gene-nutrient interaction) for this phenotype and to understand the conditionally essential function served by AZIN1. My work will significantly expand our understanding of how AZIN1 contributes to cell growth and how its encoded function depends on nutrient conditions in the cellular environment.
Any new advice for incoming students?
My advice to incoming students is to try to destress and to enjoy your time as much as possible. Rotations are hard, and it is easy to be overwhelmed when you are facing a new environment every month. However, the process will help you find the lab where you belong. Make sure to be vocal about your expectations and communicate with everyone in your rotation labs to get the full experience. Also reach out to other students in the program! I am always happy to help and so are the other students. This first year has gone by so fast, and it is important to stop and enjoy your time here in every way you can!
What is one fun fact about you?
My lab has a plant obsession, and we currently have over 50 plants by our desks!