Isaac

Isaac
Essex Technical High School
Hathorne, MA

Mentor: 
Ilinca Mazureac
Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research | Nehme Lab
 

In his BSSP application, Isaac stated, “The environment in which I work greatly affects my results, and I believe that I will be pushed to my potential amongst a collaborative and passionate group that uplifts diversity and equal opportunities for all!” Recognizing this, he was aptly placed in the Nehme lab, which provided the supportive and dynamic environment necessary for his scientific growth. The Nehme lab focuses on uncovering the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric diseases. Isaac and his partner focused on the genetic factors contributing to schizophrenia. They were tasked with differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying a genetic mutation linked to schizophrenia into neurons and astrocytes. The goal of their project was to confirm the presence of the mutation in these differentiated cell types using qPCR and to validate that the expression of genes known to be impacted by this mutation was indeed affected. As the summer came to a close, Isaac reflected on his experience, noting that “BSSP provided me with the opportunity to explore my passion for biomedical research and truly solidified my goals of pursuing a career in this field.”