George
Please provide a brief summary of your research.
I used high resolution time-lapse confocal microscopy to determine how mitochondria-lysosome contact dynamics are influenced by Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2 Disease (CMTD-2) associated genes. These mitochondria-lysosome contacts enable the cell to crosstalk and regulate function such as metabolite transfer, regulation of organelle dynamics, and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Mutations in multiple genes can cause different forms of CMTD-2, so over the summer, I imaged CMTD-2 causing mutations in genes LRSAM1, GARS1, and HARS1 and analyzed HeLa cells associated with either the wildtype condition or disease condition. After performing statistical analysis, I discovered the GARS1 and HARS1 mutants showed increased mitochondria-lysosomal contact tethering (they were stuck together for longer), and this leads the way for elucidating the mechanism behind how certain mutations can lead to CMTD-2.
What made you interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research more broadly?
I thought working with novel cells no one has ever looked at before really appealed to me – especially as an undergraduate who has had little prior lab experience!
What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
I thought looking at organelle dynamics at the microscopic level was a very unique method to better understand how a complex disease works.
Describe your experiences with research thus far in your career.
The hardest part for me was to really understand my lab’s research, and the only way to understand it was to immerse myself in loads of background reading while taking notes, constantly asking my professor questions, and thinking critically about why I am manipulating a certain variable for the bigger picture of my research, for example. After I completed my summer project, I presented my findings to the rest of the lab in a PowerPoint format. Also living independently – outside of on-campus dorms – taught me a lot about balancing my time and staying organized. Thank you to Dr. Wong for her amazing mentorship and a very productive summer!
Any tips or advice you have for students interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
Talk to as many professors conducting research as you can, and find the one you click with the most! Not all will respond to you however, so keep networking!
What meme lives rent free in your head?
What the dog doin?
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned/read about/listened to this week?
People with blindsight have damage of their visual areas in their brain (they are blind) but can still react to visual stimuli right in front of them without conscious perception.
What is your most useless talent?
In freshman year I was top 300 in league of legends, an online game played by millions.