Student Profile in Transcriptional Regulation in Macrophage Inflammatory Response
Amy Whitaker
Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science (MoDTS) Graduate Track
Genetics, Development and Disease Graduate Program
Mentor: W. Lee Kraus, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Degree: Biochemistry
Undergraduate Institution: UT Dallas
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Awards/Fellowships: Undergraduate: Undergraduate Research Scholar Award
How did you become interested in science and/or research?
My scientific training started as an undergraduate researcher in the biology lab of Dr. Li Liu at the University of Texas at Dallas. There I applied biochemical approaches to characterize the structural and physical interactions of Cry4B toxin with its cognate receptor in A. gambiae. To explore biomedical research, I joined the lab of Dr. Hellen Hobbs and Dr. Jonathan Cohen at UTSW through UT Dallas’ Green Fellowship Program and then continued this training through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. The Hobbs-Cohen Lab is celebrated for establishing transformative genetic research techniques which revealed human genetic variants contributing to metabolic disease. I chose to spend time training in this lab because I was fascinated by the influence that their medical objective had had on guiding their research approach, which ultimately pioneered a novel strategy in the field of human genetics. During this training, I investigated the function role of a mutant lipase PNPLA3 highly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. My research revealed mechanistic principles underlying the catalytic activation of PNPLA3 as well as established multiple monoclonal knock-out cell lines using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to aid in future studies on the mechanistic regulation by PNPLA3. From this training, I saw how cross-disciplinary research created an intellectually curious environment which would always strive for innovation. Thus, I decided to pursue a career in biomedical research where my scientific interest in molecular mechanisms would drive the generation of novel tools and approaches to impactful contributions to science and human health.
Please describe your research.
My ongoing research in the lab of Dr. W. Lee Kraus at UTSW focuses on understanding the physiological role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) – the process whereby multiple ADP-ribose moieties are covalently attached to substrate proteins. To study the role of PARylation in a biological process, I developed a method for using a novel lab-generated tool for tracking fluctuations in PARylation in a living systems (i.e., cellular processes and mice). The generation of FDA-approved PARP inhibitors has spurred interests in the various biological roles of PARPs and the technological advancement this detection reagent has made to the PARP field will aid in future studies of PARPs in physiology.
Why did you choose UT Southwestern?
My career goals are driven by my desire to develop novel technologies and approaches to explore mechanistic questions that can help solve human pathologies. Thus, I chose the UTSW Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences because its mission aligned with my career goals and scientific interest. Additionally, I was accepted into the Mechanisms of Disease in Translation Science track which has allowed me to spearhead collaborative opportunities between clinical and basic research scientists such as conducting a Covid19 Symposium. This training has allowed me to develop leadership skills very early during graduate school.
What do you think makes the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Track one of the best?
Through the UTSW Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, I have collaborated with people across a multitude of scientific fields and medical backgrounds and it is from these interactions that I have always gained invaluable guidance both personally, and scientifically. Their Mechanisms of Disease in Translation Science (MoDTS) track highlights their dedication to generating this type of diverse environment and has brought deeper meaning to biomedical research.
What do you love about the Organic Chemistry Program?
The UTSW Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences provides a lot of freedom to the individual students (i.e. choosing graduate advisors and programs) while also extending support along the way.
- Amy Whitaker
