Student Profile in Lafora Disease
Esther Alao
Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Track
Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program
Mentors: Berge Minassian, M.D.
Undergraduate Degree: Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate Institution: Wichita State University
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Awards/Fellowships: Kansas IDEA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence(KINBRE) Star Trainee Award
How did you become interested in science and/or research?
Growing up in a developing country, I witnessed several unwarranted deaths which could have been easily prevented if there was access to the right set of therapeutics for treatment. These experiences fueled my interest in becoming a biomedical researcher with the objective of understanding the human body on a more microscopic level, investigating the mechanisms which are perturbed in disease progression and developing therapies for diseases which are prevalent in African countries.
Please describe your research.
My research focuses on elucidating the mechanisms that underlie Lafora Disease (LD) progression. Lafora Disease is a rare genetic disease that affects adolescents and causes death within 10 years after its clinical manifestations. Understanding the mechanisms that are perturbed in LD patients would be highly beneficial in developing therapies such as gene replacement therapies which could help improve the quality of life of patients.
Why did you choose UTSW for graduate school?
UTSW is a highly reputable research institution known for its groundbreaking discoveries, some of which have been translated into therapeutics for clinical utilization. The plethora of Nobel laureates and faculty who have gained special honors at the National science academy because of their incredible research immediately sold UTSW to me as the right place to be trained as a biomedical researcher. The interactions I had with students who were highly pleased with the robust education and student life at UTSW further convinced me of why I should be at UTSW.
What do you think makes the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Track one of the best?
The Biomedical Engineering (BME) program at UTSW stands out amongst other programs in the country because we are situated in a top academic medical center which provides the opportunity of collaborating with physicians and solving real life medical problems firsthand. There are collaborations with the Departments of Biomedical Engineering at University of Texas Dallas and University of Texas Arlington which offers students a more diverse pool of principal investigators from which they can be mentored during the course of their graduate school training.
What do you love about the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Track strong>
Besides the outstanding training one would get from the BME program, there is also an active and thriving Biomedical Engineering student (BMES) chapter which facilitates events on networking, career development, and most importantly where long lasting friendships are made. In addition, the faculty and staff in the BME program care greatly about the progress of students.
– Esther Alao
