2024-25 WRF Fellows

Dania Ahmed is a senior pursuing a degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Driven by a commitment to improving the lives of individuals dealing with cardiovascular conditions, she joined the Yang Lab. During her sophomore year, Ahmed was named an Undergraduate Research Fellow by UW’s Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and a Levinson Scholar by UW’s Office of Undergraduate Research. In her junior year, she was named a National Goldwater Scholar. Through unraveling the mechanisms underlying heart disease, she aims to translate discoveries into better diagnostics and therapeutics for patients. By reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells from a patient’s blood or skin cells and differentiating them into heart muscle cells, Ahmed works to create clinically accurate disease models that mimic the patient’s condition in a dish. Ahmeds’ research aims to shed light on the underlying mechanisms of dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by investigating differences between how mutated and wildtype proteins behave within the basic contractile unit of the heart: the sarcomere. Ultimately, she will use this generous funding from the Washington Research Foundation to bridge the knowledge gap between genetic mutations and clinical manifestations of cardiomyopathy. Dania’s favorite part about research is that every answer leads to a new question, a paradox she hopes to continue exploring by pursuing a PhD in stem cell biology. Reflecting on her journey so far, Dania draws a parallel between her earlier self and an undifferentiated stem cell, and would like to thank her phenomenal mentors, Dr. Alex Loiben, Dr. Daniel Yang, and Dr. Dale Hailey for helping her differentiate with purpose and passion into the vast world of science.

Mentor: Daniel Yang Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Center for Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Medicine

Project Title: Interrogating the Effect of Pathogenic Cardiomyopathy Variants On Sarcomeric Dynamics

Priya is a senior majoring in Biochemistry and Public Health-Global Health. Her interest in creating equitable global health solutions led her to join the King Lab in the Institute for Protein Design to work on vaccine technology development. Since joining in 2022, she has worked towards creating new highly specific vaccine adjuvants to improve the efficacy of nanoparticle vaccines. Her project aims to test the ability of de novo immunomodulator display on nanoparticles to activate the CD40 pathway in B cells and include B cell proliferation and differentiation into high-affinity antibody-secreting plasma cells or memory B cells. Her goal is to create combination antigen/adjuvant displaying nanoparticle vaccines that can elicit more potent and protective immune responses than current vaccine and adjuvant combinations, improving vaccine efficacy for a wide range of infectious diseases.
Outside of lab, Priya enjoys volunteering with University District Street Medicine, lobbying for legislation to improve health outcomes, and staying involved in global affairs. After graduating, she plans to pursue her M.D. with a focus on internal medicine and infectious disease. In her career, she strives to make an impact through scientific advancements in vaccines to help eliminate diseases in lower-middle income countries, advocating at the government level to increase access to quality healthcare and treatment around the world, and serving her community’s most vulnerable populations as a physician. Priya is incredibly grateful to her mentor Marti Tooley, her P.I. Dr. Neil King, the King Lab, and the rest of IPD for their constant encouragement and mentorship. She is extremely honored to receive the WRF Fellowship and would like to thank the Washington Research Foundation for their generous support.

Mentors: Marti Tooley, Molecular Engineering/Biochemistry; Dr. Neil King, Biochemistry

Project Title: Display of CD40 Binders on I53-dn5 protein nanoparticle for adjuvant-like applications

Liam is a junior at the University of Washington studying bioengineering with a focus in nanoscience and molecular engineering. He joined Dr. Ashleigh Theberge’s lab in the department of Chemistry during his freshman year to study and design 3D cell culture models with complex geometries. His current project aims to create a device capable of mimicking human vasculature, both in shape and the physiological forces vascular tissues experience due to blood flow. Through this study, he hopes to advance the understanding of how mechanical stresses impact cell functionality and tissue geometry. The biomimetic properties of this model make it a strong tool to study vascular related diseases such as chronic kidney disease. After graduation, Liam plans to pursue a PhD in bioengineering with the aim of creating microfluidic devices for tissue engineering or diagnostic purposes. Liam is grateful for the mentorship and support from Dr. Theberge and his graduate student colleagues, and is extremely honored to receive the Washington Research Foundation fellowship in support of this project.

Mentor: Ashleigh Theberge, Chemistry

Project Title: Fabrication of Suspended Vascular Tissue Models for Assessment of Cell Structure and Function Under Continuous Flow

Arie is a senior majoring in Bioengineering: Nano & Molecular Engineering, working under the mentorship of Dr. Suzie Pun and her graduate student mentor Abe Wu. She joined the Pun Lab in 2023, and has worked on projects developing DNA aptamers for therapeutic purposes. Her current project focuses on modifying an immune cell binding aptamer to increase its in vivo stability for use in treating autoimmune diseases. She hopes the findings of this project will offer novel methods for treating autoimmune disease and be broadly applicable to modifying other aptamers to be more stable in vivo. After graduation, Arie plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioengineering to continue researching targeted methods of treating diseases. Arie is extremely grateful to the Pun Lab, especially graduate student mentor Abe Wu and Dr. Suzie Pun, for their support and mentorship. She is very honored to receive the Washington Research Foundation Fellowship and is grateful for their generous support of this research project.

Mentor: Suzie Pun, Department of Bioengineering

Project Title: Polymer Conjugation of a Novel VLA-4 Binding Aptamer to Increase In Vivo Stability for Autoimmune Disease Treatment

Beau Lonnquist is a senior majoring in Bioengineering with a Data Science option. He is passionate about exploring the intersection of computation and medicine, and especially how machine learning can be applied on the molecular level. He joined the Baker Lab during his sophomore year and spent has spent two years working to design de novo DNA-binding proteins as well as transcription factors. Through these efforts, Beau has designed the first de novo transcription factors capable of inducing targeted genetic repression. However, he hypothesizes that by designing new transcription factors that bend the DNA, much higher levels of repression could be achieved. Successful designs could have applications in synthetic gene circuits, as biosensors, and even as a foundation for a new class of gene therapy. After earning his undergraduate degree, Beau plans to pursue a Ph.D. before moving into the pharmaceutical industry where he hopes to apply his research experience to drug discovery. Beau is flattered to have received the Washington Research Foundation Fellowship and would like to express his gratitude to Dr. Cameron Glasscock and Dr. David Baker for their unwavering patience and mentorship. He would also like to thank the Washington Research Foundation for their generous support that will enable him to continue pursuing the research he loves.

Mentor: David Baker, Department of Biochemistry

Project Title: Computational design of DNA-bending transcription factors

Ashley is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in biochemistry and food systems and nutrition. She currently works in the Yang laboratory, studying hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes(hiPSC-CMs). HCM and DCM mutations are found in a variety of genes, but Ashley’s project focuses on the MYH7 gene, which encodes a sarcomeric protein that interacts with actin to generate force in muscle cells. hiPSC-CMs containing MYH7 mutations, can be studied in order to better understand the differences between HCM and DCM at the early stages. Many of these MYH7 mutations do not currently have a designation of pathogenicity and are labeled as variants of unknown significance. Ultimately, her project aims to classify these variants of unknown significance. Using an assay, called traction force microscopy (TFM), she is able to measure the contractility of mutant lines. Through comparisons of the contractility data of known variants, Ashley is able to determine the pathogenicity of variants of unknown significance. Classification of these variants is integral in determining treatment options for patients with these mutations. Ashley has been with the Yang laboratory since the winter of 2021 and her time in the laboratory has greatly prepared her for the next step in her academic journey. Ashley hopes to get her doctorate in nutritional sciences after completing her undergraduate degree. She would like to thank the members of the Yang laboratory for their support, especially Dr. Wei-Ming Chien and Dr. Daniel Yang. She is incredibly grateful to the Washington Research Foundation for their support and for the opportunity to present her research.

Mentor: Daniel Yang, Cardiology

Project Title: Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocyte Models of Hypertrophic and Dilated Cardiomyopathies

Morgan Opdahl is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in Neuroscience and Psychology. He is interested in the neural mechanisms underpinning depression and anxiety. He joined the Center of Neuroscience, Neuroendocrinology & Clinical Translation lab after taking an interest in neuroimaging and translational neuroscience. His project investigates the role of the menstrual cycle on fear learning, specifically whether individuals in the early follicular phase have an attenuated ability to extinguish a developed fear. Utilizing fMRI he aims to explore the differences in neural activation patterns associated with these differences. He hopes this project will contribute to more equitable and efficacious treatments for anxiety-related disorders. After graduation, Morgan hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and continue his research in neuropsychology. He would like to express his sincere gratitude to his mentors, Dr. Angela Fang, Emily Iannazzi, and Gillian Grennan, for their invaluable guidance and support in his development as a researcher.

Mentors: Dr. Angela Fang & Emily Izannazzi, Psychology

Project Title: The Menstrual Cycle’s Influence on Fear Extinction

Shawn is a fourth-year double majoring in Neuroscience and Biochemistry with a minor in Philosophy at the University of Washington – Seattle. He joined Dr. Susan Ferguson’s lab during his junior year hoping to learn more about the underlying mechanisms of addiction. This was inspired by his volunteer work at the Swedish’s General Medical Unit and Recovery Café, in which he discovered his interest in polysubstance use due to his frequent encounters with it in the Greater Seattle community. Shawn is currently investigating the underlying circuitries involved in polysubstance use of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the nucleus accumbens and how their interactions with one another drives drug-seeking behavior, using an intermittent access self-administration model. In performing this research, Shawn is interested in assessing the status of polysubstance use beyond the sum of its pathologies, with the goal of contributing to the development of innovative treatments to better address this growing epidemic. In the future, Shawn intends to pursue an MD/Ph.D. in Neuroscience to further explore the fields of addiction and neuroscience in both the clinical and research setting.

Shawn is deeply grateful to his principal investigator, Dr. Susan Ferguson, and the senior members of the lab for their mentorship throughout his time at the Ferguson Lab. He also extends his sincere thanks to his fellow colleagues and is exteremely grateful for the WRF Fellowship Award from the Washington Research Foundation in support of his work on polysubstance use.

Mentor: Susan Ferguson; UW Department of Psychiatry

Project TItle: Dissecting the Striatal Circuitry Underlying Drug-Seeking Following Self Administration of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

Gardenia is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in biochemistry with a minor in diversity. She joined the Kollman Lab in fall 2023, focusing on understanding the structure and regulation of IMPDH2 and its role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Her research aims to test various IMPDH2 inhibitors, including derivatives from traditional Chinese medicine and FDA-approved drugs, to potentially treat disorders caused by IMPDH2 hyperactivity. Her work involves using spectrophotometric assays and structural techniques such as negative stain and cryo-EM to analyze the impacts of small molecules on IMPDH2 filament assembly. Her research demonstrates a commitment to bridging molecular-level insights with clinical strategies to improve patients’ lives through more precise treatments. After her undergraduate studies, she wishes to pursue a post-baccalaureate program prior to attending graduate school. Gardenia would like to thank her PI, Dr. Justin Kollman and her mentor Audrey O’Neill, as well as her lab colleagues for their support. She is honored to receive the support from the Washington Research Foundation in helping her continue her undergraduate degree and research goals.

Mentors: Dr. Justin Kollman and Audrey O’Neill PhD candidate, department of biochemistry

Project Title: Testing Potential IMPDH2 Inhibitors for Treating Neurodevelopment Disorders Linked to IMPDH2 Mutation

Ashley is a junior majoring in Neuroscience and Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish. She began research in Dr. Rebecca Kow’s lab within the Kraemer Lab in January of 2023 to research the role of protein toxicity in neurodegenerative disease using a C. elegans model. Her current study seeks to provide insight into the role of sphingolipid metabolism in proteinopathies by investigating the effects of mutations in genes in the sphingolipid metabolic pathway on protein toxicity. Sphingolipids are essential components of cellular membranes, and defects in their metabolism have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Working as a caregiver at a memory care facility before college has motivated Ashley to pursue a combined MD/Ph.D in neurology to become a neurologist for patients living with dementia and continue to research the mechanisms underlying disease. Ashley is an advocate for dementia support and helps lead the Purple Ambassadors within the Alzheimer’s Association to increase high school and college engagement with the Association and related dementia support initiatives. She is also passionate about accessible education and serves as the Senior Editor of Grey Matters Journal at UW, an undergraduate-run neuroscience journal that aims to increase the accessibility of neuroscience to the public through the publication of easy-to-digest neuroscience articles, educational outreach at local schools, and numerous public events. She also leads Viable Veganism at UW to educate vegans and non-vegans about the merits of veganism and provide resources into how to make the transition to a vegan lifestyle. She believes that medical research does not have to be at odds with veganism and that cross-group communication can result in more ethical treatment of animals used in research and help improve the feasibility of non-animal models of disease/injury to mitigate animal suffering. Ashley would like to thank her mentor Dr. Rebecca Kow for her continued support and guidance throughout her undergraduate research experience, as well as the Kraemer Lab for creating a welcoming community through which she can pursue research. She is immensely grateful to receive the Washington Research Foundation Fellowship and will use the opportunity to further grow as a researcher and contribute to neurodegenerative disease research.

Mentor: Rebecca Kow, Department of Gerontology

Project Title: The role of sphingolipid metabolism on tau toxicity

Kenneth is a senior studying computer science. He conducts research with Dr. Nick Steinmetz (Department of Biological Structures) and Dr. Dan Birman (Allen Institute). Kenneth is working to develop open-source interactive 3D software to visualize and automate electrophysiology, the technique of placing electrode probes into the brain to record the electrical activity of neurons. Currently, scientists performing electrophysiology use one or two probes. Most human activities engage multiple brain regions simultaneously and current practices make it challenging to scale studies to the eight or ten probes needed to achieve brain-wide coverage. Through computer-vision-guided robotic automation, Kenneth seeks to enable scientists to repeatably, safely, and efficiently run complex multi-probe electrophysiology experiments, making it possible to run studies previously considered not feasible. Kenneth hopes to pursue a PhD in computer science to continue researching ways to create impactful technologies that solve problems and enable future advancements. He is grateful for the support from the Washington Research Foundation and his mentors and looks forward to fulfilling the aims of his project.

Mentors: Dr. Nick Steinmetz (Department of Biological Structures) and Dr. Dan Birman (Allen Institute)

Project Title: Complete Automation of Simultaneous Multi-region Electrophysiology Recordings

Tara is a Senior Interdisciplinary Honors student majoring in Biochemistry. For the past three years, she has worked in the Guo Lab of Microbiology where she studies DNA replication proteins using biochemical techniques. One key event in DNA replication is unwinding the DNA double helix at the replication fork, which promotes the DNA strand to wrap around itself, forming knots termed “supercoils”. Resolving these supercoils is necessary for replication to continue and is performed by the essential DNA replication proteins topoisomerases. Her main project focuses on how topoisomerases are recruited to supercoils in the model system Caulobacter crescentus. If a conserved mechanism, this research could inform the development of more targeted therapies for treating disease such as cancer and bacterial infections. After graduating, Tara plans to attend an MD/PhD program to learn structural biology techniques to illuminate the functions of proteins implicated in disease and ultimately improve patient care by translating this research as a Physician Scientist.
In addition to her research, Tara enjoys mentoring other undergraduates in their pursuit of research as an Undergraduate Research Leader and creating a community for students in the Chemistry Department as President of Free Radicals, the chemistry RSO. In her free time, she enjoys painting, embroidering, and going on walks in nature. Tara is extremely grateful for the mentorship and guidance from everyone who has supported her on her research journey, especially Dr. Monica Guo, for providing a positive environment to grow as both a student and researcher. She is very honored to be awarded a Washington Research Foundation Fellowship and would like to thank the generous support from the foundation to further her project and research career.

Mentor: Dr. Monica Guo, Microbiology

Project Title: A DNA Binding Protein Interacts with Type II Topoisomerases to Promote Replication