2021 Doctoral Student Award
Project title: Investigating the Role of RasGRP1 in γδT17 Polarization
How would you describe your research project to someone without a scientific background?
γδ T cells are a type of immune cell that detects pathogens with a receptor on the cell surface. Upon detection, these immune cells can then send signals to other cells to mount an antibacterial or antiviral response. Mice lacking the gene for a protein called RasGRP1 do not develop the antibacterial γδ T cells. My project investigates why RasGRP1 is important for developing antibacterial γδ T cells.
What impact do you hope this project makes once completed?
γδT17s play important roles in health for antibacterial responses, but they are also involved in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis when they do not function correctly. I hope that my research helps us better understand, and therefore better control, γδT17s to provide patients with better treatments for diseases that γδT17s play a role in.
How has the support from Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology helped you?
The Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology has supported my graduate studies both by making services, such as histology, available for me to pursue research questions, as well as supporting countless seminars that contribute to the vibrant academic life in my department.
When did you realize you wanted to pursue a degree / career in science?
After I finished my undergraduate degree, I realized that I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t keep challenging myself academically. Going to the frontier of human knowledge and bringing back some new useful information–getting a PhD–is the challenge I knew I needed.
What's been the best part of your research experience so far?
The best part has been the awesome community and culture in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology. Everyone I work with in the Baldwin lab, other labs I interact with, and all the administrative staff are kind, supportive and brilliant people who are a pleasure to be around.
What is a weird pet peeve you have?
Plastic food container lids. Somehow, they are just the worst kind of dishes to clean. I would rather wash several plates than a single plastic food container lid.
If you could live in any other time, when might that be?
Some time in the future. I’m a long-time Star Trek fan, and I suppose I hope we eventually reach that kind of technological and societal situation. I am happy living now though; I think I’d much rather live now than in most points in history!