Junior Lauren Griffith, a Mansfield University cell & molecular biology major, received a $4,000 research scholarship from the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium.
Griffith's funded proposal focuses on the
link between the gut microbiome and cancer development and spread. Griffith, a
native of Upper Marlboro, Md., was also awarded a Summer 2022 internship
through the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock
Potential (STEP-UP) program.
Prior to these awards, Griffith earned a
Summer 2021 internship through Cornell University's Microbial Friends and Foes
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Through this 10-week hybrid
virtual/in-person internship, Griffith developed a research project evaluating
a specific type of large gastrointestinal bacterium, in which she analyzed the
genome and differential gene expression across different morphotypes. The
internship concluded with a poster and oral presentation on her work.
In addition to learning about genomics
and bioinformatics, part of this internship experience included career
exploration. Griffith explains, "During the last week of my internship, we
met with different career-related panels. PhD candidates talked with us about
their upcoming career choices, and from those discussions I decided I wanted to
pursue a PhD in a Biology-related field."
Griffith joined the research laboratory
of Dr. Kristen Long, associate professor of biology, in Fall 2021 and developed
a research proposal investigating the link between the gut microbiome and tumor
development and spread, using pancreatic cancer as a model of disease. The proposal
was used when applying for the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium
Scholarship. Griffith's awarded funding will support her research during the
2022-23 academic year. Part of the scholarship requirement involves community
outreach, where Griffith will continue her role as an American Cancer Society's
ResearcHERs ambassador.
This summer, Griffith will complete her
STEP-UP internship at the University of Maryland and will work in a cell and
microenvironment engineering laboratory focused on advancing scientific
knowledge on how to approach therapeutic strategies for diseases.
"This summer I look to gain more
insight into the biomedical side of science," said Griffith. "In
addition, I hope to bring the skills and knowledge I acquire through this experience
and apply them to my NASA-funded research project on pancreatic cancer. I'm
super excited about these upcoming opportunities!"
Griffith looks to tie together
information from all three of her experiences to address the question: How does
diet influence the gut microbiome, and in turn, influence disease development
and/or resistance therapy? "These experiences will not only help
researchers understand this link at a scientific level, but they will allow me
to continue to explore my creative and problem-solving side while also
preparing me for graduate school," Griffith continued. "Every aspect
of these unique opportunities encompasses what I want to accomplish through a
career as scientist."
NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium
Scholarships are awarded to rising juniors and seniors attending an accredited
Pennsylvania college or university and are enrolled in a science, technology,
engineering, or mathematics program. Scholarship recipients agree to
participate in multiple education outreach and mentoring activities throughout
the award cycle.
Dr. Long's research laboratory at
Mansfield University focuses on the physical and immunological aspects of
pancreatic cancer and how both contribute to tumor development and resistance
to standard cancer therapies.
Shaelyn Marx '22, Brittney Atkins '21,
Caitlin Beauduy '21, Catherine Troutman '20, and Adrianna Vaskas '19 each
received a NASA research scholarship under Long's advisement and are currently
pursing advanced degrees in graduate programs or working in the biomedical
sciences industry.
For more information about the biology program at Mansfield University or to learn more on this and other active research projects in Dr. Long's laboratory, visit Mansfield Biology
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