Research Internship
(Parrish Lab)
In the summer of 2021, I was accepted to the Leadership Program for Veterinary Students at Cornell University, a research internship located in Ithaca, New York.
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The biological process of Influenza A virus (IAV) hemagglutinin (HA) binding to α2,6 or α2,3-linked sialic acid (SIA) and initiating viral endocytosis has been explored extensively over several decades. However, a lot less is known about the molecules that the SIA are attached to, or how those mediate endocytic entry and infection.
I helped The Parrish Lab carry out IAV infections on knockout SIA mammalian cells using a non-SIA artificial receptor. The non-SIA artificial receptor was made from fragments of an antibody, that has known interactions with IAV, fused to the transmembrane portion of a transferrin receptor. We compared the artificial receptor infections to wild type cells, knockout SIA cells, and knockout SIA cells with a receptor that has no known interaction with IAV. The goal of this project is to further our understanding and knowledge on IAV.
I have uploaded one of the figures I created below.
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This program provided me with knowledge on different career paths in research and opportunities to practice research skills. Personally, my interest in lab animal residencies grew and I was able to obtain guidance on pursuing a laboratory animal veterinary career. My expected graduation date from Royal Veterinary College is June 2022, upon which I plan to start searching for a laboratory animal residency.
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I truly appreciate everyone’s support in making this summer unforgettable. Thank you to Wendy Weichert for teaching me every cell culture technique I know. Thank you to Robert Lopez-Astacio, Simon Frueh, and Brian Wasik for helping with analysis, math, and staining. Thank you to Dr. Parrish for allowing me to join the lab this summer and advising edits throughout the project. Thank you to the girls I lived with this summer and all the friends I've made on and off Cornell campus. Thank you to Dr. Parker, Dr. Van de Walle, Bonnie Coffin, and all faculty and staff involved in the leadership program. I’d also like to thank Dr. Parker’s NIH T35-Short Term Training for the generous funding.
Parrish Lab 2021 Family Photo
I completed lab orientation and the following online training certifications:
Working Safely in Biosecurity Cabinets and other Hoods
Bloodborne Pathogens
Chemical Waste Disposal
Photo credit:
Dr. Colin Parrish
Module 1: Introduction to the Care and Use of Animals for Research, Teaching, and Testing
Laboratory Safety
Leadership Students 2021
Working with the Laboratory Mouse
Laboratory Animal Allergy
Basic Online Training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Full Course on RCR for Biomedical Sciences
Leadership Students 2021
2021 Photo Album