Annah

Annah
Lynn Classical High School
Lynn, MA

Mentor: 
Yan-Ling Zhang
Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research | Zhang Lab
 

Annah applied to the program with a particular interest in psychiatric diseases, stating, “Psychiatric diseases are so impactful on one’s health and yet so often disregarded. [It] is a crucial area in medicine, and I’m delighted to learn more about it.” Naturally, she was an excellent fit in the Therapeutics group of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, where the goal is to reduce the burden of serious mental illness by understanding its mechanisms and identifying new treatments through research. Annah and her partner focused on evaluating agonist and antagonist molecules targeting a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) on the surface of microglial cells, hypothesized to regulate neural inflammation and the phagocytosis of amyloid-β fibrils, whose accumulation is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Using a β-arrestin assay, they validated a few potent activators and inhibitors that could potentially help clarify the receptor's role in psychological disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to conducting impactful research, Annah networked with professionals from various scientific careers. She reflects, 'Thanks to BSSP, I was able to explore so many different careers in science that I wasn't aware of before. I also met all kinds of different people who shared the same scientific interests as me!'"