Student Profile in Novel Cardiac Micropeptides
Joseph Wingate
Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Track
Genetics, Development and Disease Graduate Program
Mentors: Eric Olson, Ph.D., Ning Liu, Ph.D., Rhonda Bassel-Duby, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Degree: Major: Biological Sciences Minor: Biomedical Engineering
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Texas at El Paso
Hometown: Riverdale, NJ
Awards/Fellowships: Graduate: T32 for Mechanisms of Disease and Translation Science track (MoDTS); Mentored Experiences in Research, Inquiry, and creaTivity for Undergraduate Scholars (MERITUS), Undergraduate Research Scholarship NIH Funded Building Scholars Summer Program, NIH Funded Building Scholars Academic program
How did you become interested in science and/or research?
While serving on active duty as an intelligence analyst in the Army, I suffered an undiagnosed ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). As someone who did not have a science background outside of the typical biology and chemistry classes high school students take, I couldn’t comprehend when my cardiologist told me the cause of this traumatic event was undetermined and that I would likely never know what caused the event. After six years of active duty service in the Army, I was medically retired due to the STEMI, but this event cultivated a personal drive to learn about genetics in terms of cardiac disease and development to help possibly understand my cardiac event. The skills I developed and honed as an intelligence analyst (analyzing large sets of data and multi-disciplinary reports to conclude how to move forward) are applicable and imperative to the overall success of scientists and I believe this skillset further pushed me into the field of science.
Please describe your research.
I am currently working on identifying novel micropeptides (small proteins) and elucidating their mechanisms in the murine heart. Characterizing these previously unannotated or unstudied proteins may lend new insights into fundamental developmental and functional processes of the heart.
Why did you choose UTSW for graduate school?
I chose to come to UTSW because of the wide diversity of research mentors and topics available for students. When I first arrived on campus, I didn’t have a particular project I was interested in pursuing besides knowing I wanted to study processes and diseases associated with the heart. Once I started graduate school at UTSW, I learned that this institution encourages collaborations among trainees and other labs on campus.
What do you think makes the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Track one of the best?
UT Southwestern has a robust diversity of PIs investigating interesting biological questions across a wide array of developmental processes. The faculty are easily approachable and enjoy engaging with intellectually curious and driven trainees. MoDTS provides students with multiple opportunities for personal and professional growth with consistent opportunities to present their work in front of some of the most accomplished scientists on campus.
– Joseph Wingate
