Tag: grad students

At the American Society of Microbiology Joint Branch Meeting of South Caroina (SC ASM) on November 9th, biochemistry and molecular biology master’s student Bryson Woodard received an Honorable Mention for his poster presentation titled, “Construction and Characterization of Transgenic Cell Lines for the Analysis of Glycosome Heterogeneity in Trypanosoma brucei“.

Bryson works in Dr. Meredith Morris’ lab in the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center (EPIC). The lab focuses on Trypanosoma brucei (the causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness) as a model organism and seeks to explore and close knowledge gaps within the parasite’s cellular biology.

“We are interested in the diversity of glycosomes, which are essential metabolic organelles within the Trypanosomes; previous research findings suggest that not all glycosomes are the same.”

To assess this diversity, Bryson and his lab mates use an endogenous tagging technique to attach fluorescent protein tags to essential glycosomal membrane proteins. These tagged membrane proteins allow analyzation of glycosomal diversity using fluorescence expansion microscopy and advanced forms of flow cytometry.

“To date, we have successfully attached our first fluorescent tag to our selected membrane proteins, subsequent attachment of additional tags and analysis is to follow.”

Attending the SC ASM fall meeting was an excellent experience for Bryson, where he was able to learn more about microbiological research happening in our state, network with other scientists and faculty and further prepare for his career as a physician.

“I am honored to have received an honorable mention for my poster presentation. I want to thank the conference organizers, my advisor, Dr. Meredith Morris and my lab mates for supporting me in these endeavors.”

5th year Ph.D. student in Dr. Jennifer Mason’s lab Josh Turner was recently awarded an Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS) $500 travel grant to attend the EMGS annual meeting in Palm Springs, CA.

EMGS provides a forum for the establishment and support of scientists in the field of environmental mutagenesis. The society seeks to understand and mitigate the impacts of environmental exposures on the genome to protect human health through diverse and inclusive leadership in research, professional development, and collaboration.

The Travel award was a $500 award to students and new investigators given by the society to promote new PI and trainee attendance.

“It has been really exciting to get this award for the past two years because EMGS is the most inviting and engaging conference I’ve ever been to. I’ve been able to troubleshoot experiments, gain collaborators on really exciting projects that I can’t wait to start soon, and even sit down and have a drink with top investigators at prestigious institutions.”

Dr. Madeline Santana came to the Department of Genetics and Biochemistry from the Dominican Republic through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, a highly selective international academic exchange program that enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States.

Dr. Santana’s professional background is in pediatrics in the Dominican Republic, and she had always desired to expand her knowledge in the field of genetics. After the extensive application and interview process and being named a Fulbright Scholar, she chose to attend Clemson University.

“It’s been a dream come true to immerse myself in another culture and gain new knowledge for my career. Fulbright made this possible, and I will be forever grateful.”

Dr. Santana is completing her studies and research at Clemson’s Center for Human Genetics located in Greenwood, SC. She is part of Drs. Trudy Mackay and Robert Anholt’s lab, where they are using fruit flies as model animals to study human diseases, particularly neurological and substance abuse. Dr. Santana’s research specifically focuses on a hereditary neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation.

“I have enjoyed being at Clemson Center for Human Genetics. There is a lot of camaraderie, exchange of ideas and a community sense.”

Both as a Fulbright Scholar and personally having a dedication that stems from a desire to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of her community, Dr. Santana holds a commitment to return to her home country and utilize the vast knowledge she acquired during her time abroad. Armed with advanced methods for diagnostics, treatment and prognosis, she aims to introduce innovative ideas and fresh perspectives to enhance her country’s health system.

“The Fulbright experience equips me with academic expertise and instills a sense of responsibility to effect positive change upon my return home.”

She says she will always cherish her time at Clemson, where she has expanded her knowledge in the field of genetics, navigated a new research field and became more organized and time efficient.

“This past year has been filled with invaluable experiences that have propelled my career forward. Meeting people from diverse cultures, all united by our passion for advancing science has been truly inspiring.”

Graduate students Ning Yuan and Peipei Wu attended the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB) meeting in Tucson, AZ on May 30-June 3, and presented their research. Ning Yuan received a SIVB student travel grant and was among the top five in student oral presentation competition.

Graduate students Shuangrong Yuan and Ning Yuan attended the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) national meeting in Minneapolis, MN on July 19-23. Shuangrong Yuan received an ASPB student travel grant to present her research in a poster. Ning Yuan was invited to give an oral presentation about his research.

Rick Boyles received the SC Rural Rehabilitation Fellowship for 2015-2016.

Graduate students Rick Boyles, Zach Brenton, Grace Kisirkoi, William Poehlman, and Stephen Nowak received the Wade Stackhouse Graduate Fellowship for 2015-16.

Ashley Crook and Stephen Nowak received travel grants from the American Society of Plant Biology and presented their research at the ASPB national meeting in Minneapolis July 19-23.

Jacquelyn Evans, Ph.D. student in the Clark laboratory, gave a talk at The 8th International Conference on Advances in Canine and Feline Genomics and Inherited Disease in Cambridge, UK on June 24th. Jacquelyn was a Best Student Abstract winner.