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Rowe Researcher: Investigating Propargyl-Linked Antifolates

Posted on July 14, 2014July 14, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Summer 2012-Spring 2014: Investigating Propargyl-Linked Antifolates in Inhibiting Bacterial and Fungal Dihydrofolate Reductase

By Joshua Andrade, Dr. Amy Anderson’s Lab, and Dr. Dennis Wright’s Lab

Antimicrobial agents have been invaluable in reducing illness and death associated with bacterial infection. However, over time, bacteria have evolved resistance to all major drug classes as a result of selective pressure. The advancement of new drug compounds is therefore vital. The Anderson-Wright Lab has focused on developing potent and selective inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme key in cell proliferation and survival, in several pathogenic species. The lab has found that a set of compounds, known as propargyl-linked antifolates, are DHFR inhibitors that are both biologically effective and have strong pharmacokinetic properties. Continue reading →

2014 Rowe Scholar: Kavisha Thakkar

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Kavisha Thakkar is from Newington, CT but has traveled to 54 countries. She enjoys photography and travel and says that her experiences abroad have definitely played a role in her desire to pursue a career in medicine. In pursuit of this goal Kavisha has shadowed ophthalmologists at UConn Health and Veteran’s Hospital, and has conducted research on DNA at Hartford Hospital. She is now following a pre-med track and majoring in physiology and neurobiology at UConn. A graduate of Newington High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of Math and Science, Kavisha has taken part in several HCOP programs, including the Mini Medical Program, the High School Summer Research Program, and the Pre-College Enrichment Program.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Ornella Tempo

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Ornella Tempo is originally from Fusagasuga, Colombia but graduated from Wethersfield High School in Connecticut. Currently a chemical engineering major, her main academic interest lies in tissue engineering while her hobbies include swimming and painting. Ornella has had the opportunity to serve as student assistant to the Institutional Review Board, where she helps with instructor training, and as a research assistant at the Institute of Regenerative Engineering Laboratory. At the lab she has engaged in activities such as cell culture, creating microspheres, and microscopy imaging of microspheres.

2014 Rowe Scholar: John Odoom

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

John Odoom loves playing basketball and is very proud of the fact that he didn’t quit but worked hard for two years in order to make Stamford High School’s varsity basketball team. Born in Ghana, Africa John now lives in Stamford, CT and is very interested in athletic training and physical therapy. As a basketball player he’s been able to observe the duties and demands of his team’s athletic trainer. He has also taken part in LEAD, a leadership program that provided him with the opportunity to tour Stamford Hospital.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Julise Marsh

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Julise Marsh will be a Pre-Pharmacy student at UConn. A resident of Bloomfield, CT, she graduated from Bloomfield High School after having taken part in the HCOP High School Student Research Apprentice Program, which she feels provided her with good exposure to her chosen field. Julise loves playing volleyball in her free time.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Kewa Jiang

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Kewa Jiang is originally from Shenzhen, China, but after moving to the US four and a half years ago, she now hails from Glastonbury, CT and graduated from Glastonbury High School. She is a molecular and cell biology major who is also working on minors in chemistry and digital arts. While she enjoys all areas of science, she’s particularly interested in immunology, virology, and parasitology. She also likes drawing on the computer, watching anime with friends, and the card game Dominion. Kewa has volunteered at UConn Health as a research assistant in the psychiatry department, gaining clinical as well as practical experience coordinating events and interviewing people in a professional manner. She’s currently working in Dr. Verardi’s lab in the pathobiology department at Storrs, which she says is challenging but which has given her insight about what to expect from her chosen career path of physician-scientist. Kewa is also a member of the UConn Taekwondo team.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Abigail Colburn

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Abigail Colburn is an allied health major with minors in biology and molecular and cell biology. She plans to go to medical school and has worked toward this goal as a mobility volunteer at Hartford Hospital, where she has had experience interacting with patients and nurses. She has also interned at the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, where she created webinars for health and mental health care professionals. Hailing from South Windsor, CT, Abigail is a graduate of South Windsor High School and has been a runner her whole life. This summer she ran her first half marathon.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Sharon Cherian

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Sharon Cherian has been doing Indian classical dance since she was six years old and plans to continue dancing at UConn. While here she’ll also be majoring in chemistry and perhaps psychology while following a pre-med track of study to prepare for medical school and a future as a doctor. A resident of West Hartford, CT, Sharon graduated from Conard High School and volunteered for three years at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. While at St. Francis, Sharon assisted nurses and patients in the OBGYN/post-delivery unit. She enjoyed working with the people and feels that she learned a lot about the obstetrics and gynecology field.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Omar Allam

Posted on July 14, 2014April 15, 2015 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Omar Allam is a chemistry major from Mansfield, CT. A graduate of Glastonbury High School, he loves to cook and works part-time as an assistant chef at a Mediterranean restaurant where he specializes in baklava. He also volunteers as an EMT, which he feels provides an exhilarating perspective on medicine. Omar had the unique opportunity to observe the first TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) surgery in Connecticut, which occurred when he shadowed and conducted research with Dr. David Underhill, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Hartford Hospital.

2014 Rowe Scholar: Jennifer Akosa

Posted on July 14, 2014December 16, 2014 by Hoffmann, Jessamy

Jennifer Akosa is from Newington, CT but has close ties to Nigeria, where her parents lived up until two years before she was born. A pre-pharmacy major and graduate of Newington High School, Jennifer enjoys playing the outside hitter and defensive specialist positions in volleyball. She has taken part in the HCOP Mini-Medical/Dental High School Program, which provided her with the opportunity to listen to lectures on topics such as pharmacology, cardiology, and oncology, and she has worked at UConn Health as a research apprentice, studying how proteins such as E-cadherin and Actin manipulate cell direction and adhesion. She has also volunteered at the Newington Veterans’ Hospital in urgent care and cardiology.