Jennifer L
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Washington University in St. Louis
Expertise
Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology, Alzheimer's
Bio
Hi! My name is Jennifer. I grew up in Seaford, Virginia and then went to the University of Delaware where I studied Biology and Neuroscience. After college, I packed everything I owned into one 50lbs suitcase and moved abroad to The Netherlands for one year where I worked in a lab studying Alzheimer's disease. I'm currently working on my neuroscience Ph.D. in Missouri, where I study non-neuronal brain cells and their role in controlling immune cells entering the brain. So I'm from a bit of all over! While I really love science and am excited to get to work on my research for the next several years, I have many hobbies outside of work that I enjoy. Mostly I love being in the outdoors (hiking, kayaking, and napping in hammocks), but this past winter I've gotten really into knitting super misshapen socks and hanging out with my pet cat, Moby. I hope to be able to pass own some of my own passion for science to the next generation through mentoring and would love to help answer any questions you may have about getting into a career in STEM!Project ideas
Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.
Circadian regulation of the blood brain barrier
Studying when and where the protein CXCL5 is made in the brain. CXCL5 attracts neutrophils (a kind of immune cell) into the brain where they cause neuroinflammation and is made in larger quantities during sleep rather than wake. I'd like to study how changes in CXCL5 throughout the day impact neutrophil infiltration into the brain and how much inflammation there is during different neurological diseases.
Teaching experience
I have TA'ed graduate level courses as well as mentored undergraduates both in wet lab skills and through their written senior thesis works. Additionally, I have received training to teach elementary school students but due to COVID have not been able to start that at this time.Credentials
Work experience
Fulbright Study/Research Scholarship (2018 - 2019)
Fulbright Research ScholarEducation
University of Delaware
BS Bachelor of Science (2018)
Biological Sciences (concentration in molecular and cellular biology and genetics) and NeuroscienceWashington University in St. Louis
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Neuroscience