Griffin Thomas
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦?
By allowing me to continue with the research I conduct during the academic year, the Seifert Scholars program provides a unique opportunity for extensive and longitudinal research projects that are not possible through many undergraduate summer research programs.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡?
Title: “A gene editing approach to the structural characterization of the T. brucei AMP-Kinase complex.” My research this summer is focused on the parasite T. brucei, the causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness. Since these organisms spend different parts of their life cycle in drastically different host environments, nutrient sensing is a key factor that informs their differentiation, metabolism, and survival. AMP-Kinase is a nutrient sensing protein complex that is well conserved across species. It is present in T. brucei, where it appears to have roles in nutrient sensing and signaling differentiation. In response to changes in glucose levels, one of the subunits of this protein complex undergoes an unknown structural modification. My work this summer has the goal of using CRISPR technology to “tag” this subunit, allowing for isolation and analysis that could provide insights into the structural modifications it undergoes in response to changes in environmental glucose. This information will allow us to better understand how these organisms are able to infect humans and cause disease.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫?
Being part of the Seifert Scholars program two summers in a row has been a key part of equipping me with the scientific investigation skills I plan to utilize throughout my career as a physician-scientist. The opportunity to conduct dedicated research has allowed me to develop the inquisitiveness, creativity, and resilience that I see as critical components of scientific investigation. Whether I am studying a metabolic pathway in the lab or analyzing a patient’s history, these skills will allow me to push beyond the surface level of treatment options and optimize patient outcomes.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
Following graduation I will be taking a gap year for research prior to attending medical school.