Kate Carver
Please provide a brief summary of your research.
For the past 19 months, I have worked in the Perera Lab, a precision medicine research group at Feinberg. With the rise of high-throughput genome sequencing technologies, medicine is shifting from a one-size-fits-all approach to personalized precision medicine. Tailoring treatments to an individual’s specific genetic makeup promises to increase drug efficacy and minimize side effects, thus improving overall treatment quality. My work seeks to identify genetic and epigenetic factors that regulate drug response. My first project, which was entirely computational, integrated multi-omic methodologies to identify novel epigenetic pathways that contribute to interindividual variability in drug response. My current project uses CRISPR prime editing to investigate a specific set of variants that regulate the GSTM3 gene, which is involved in the metabolism of several commonly-prescribed drugs.
What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
Precision medicine is a relatively new field that didn’t receive much attention until the Human Genome Project was completed. I was specifically interested in joining the Perera Lab because our research focuses on minority racial groups that are historically underrepresented in precision medicine research. It’s exciting to work in an emerging field of research that has the capacity to improve health outcomes, especially for populations that are traditionally underserved in healthcare.
What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
Coming to Northwestern, I had zero research experience. At the time, I was pre-med, but I always wondered what it would be like to work in a lab. Throughout my first year at Northwestern, I gradually came to the conclusion that my interest in being a doctor stemmed from my interest in pursuing unanswered questions, not from an interest in patient care. I joined a research lab in March of my freshman year and quickly decided that I want to pursue a career in biomedical research.
Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
The first few months of my research experience were incredibly challenging but also incredibly rewarding. I had no experience reading scientific literature and no experience communicating about research. I didn’t know how to take care of cells or use a pipette. Though I felt overwhelmed at first, I was excited by these challenges. Through my research, I have become a better writer and communicator, and I see these benefits in my everyday life. I have learned to value personal growth over outright success, which has made me a more resilient person. Though I have also gained several technical skills, developing these abilities has been the most valuable part of my research experience.
Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
Northwestern has incredible resources for undergraduate research – take advantage of them. I found my lab through an OUR workshop. The work I did the past two summers was funded by undergraduate research grants. The Peer Mentors and full-time staff have been incredible resources for me during my time at Northwestern. Very few universities offer these opportunities. Be grateful for them and use them!
What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
How to Build a 5 Star Island in Animal Crossing
What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
Goodnight Moon