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Abstract Background

Research

I enjoy discovery, and the variety and challenge a research career presents. I have experienced research in several labs, and I have found that each experience has helped me bring a new perspective, technique, or research approach to my next experience. I want to continue to be a scholar and a scientist throughout my life and never stop challenging myself. Through my research I want to discover new ideas, develop new technologies, and create something that can help others. I love any opportunity to communicate my research and learn from other scientists, and I've presented my research across the country.

First-Year Rotations

Dr. Judd Hultquist - Medicine (Infectious Diseases)

Dr. Lisa Akhtar - Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases)

Dr. Alan Hauser - Microbiology and Immunology
 

ICP34.5 Sequence and Protein Diversity in Neonates Infected with HSV-2

Optimizing HDRT Delivery for CRIPSR-Based Knock-Ins

First-year students in the Driskill Graduate Program rotate through three research labs for the period of one academic quarter to learn about different research methods and complete an original research project.

Abstract Background
Abstract Background

Phylogenetics Research

Dr. Mark Batzer - Genetics and Genomics, LSU Biological Sciences

September 2018 - 2022

Within Dr. Batzer's lab I have worked to optimize the bioinformatic program PolyDetect, which is used to detect the mobile genetic element Alu in the primate species. Alu is a transposable element that can be used as a marker to understand evolutionary relationships between primates. In my senior project and first published paper, I used bioinformatic programs to find species-indicative Alu elements in the Cebidae family of monkeys. My project found 50 species-specific markers in the newly-categorized species Sapajus apella.

Summer Research Opportunity Program

Dr. Hank Seifert - Microbiology, Northwestern University

June - July 2021

My work under Dr. Seifert focused on the bacterium that causes the sexually-transmitted infection gonorrhea, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The Seifert lab is focused on understanding essential gene functions in gonorrhea and developing new targets for antibiotic treatments. I worked to modify a CRISPRi locus by inserting a novel antibiotic resistance gene creating a library of interchangeable spacer regions targeting genes essential to N. gonorrhoeae.

Abstract Background
Abstract Background

Distinction in Biology

Dr. Micah Luftig - Molecular Genetics, Duke University

June 2017 - March 2018

During my senior year of high school at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts I was given the opportunity to study under Dr. Luftig at Duke University. I worked to sequence new strains of the Epstein-Barr virus' LMP-1 regions using plasmid cloning techniques. My senior distinction project focused on studying the evolutionary, geographic, and transcriptional differences between known EBV strains using phylogenetic tools and MEME Suite.

Research Presentations

Research Presentations

Discovery and Analysis of Unique Alu Insertions in the Capuchin Species Sapajus apella

by Grayce Mores, Jerilyn Walker, Jessica Storer, and Dr. Mark Batzer

Modification of a genetically engineered CRISPRi locus in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

by Grayce Mores, Wendy Geselwitz, and Dr. Hank Seifert

Optimizing the Alu Detection Program PolyDetect

by Grayce Mores, Dr. Jessica Storer, Jerilyn Walker, and Dr. Mark Batzer

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Analysis of Strain Variation of the Oncogene LMP-1 of the Epstein-Barr Virus

by Grayce Mores, Dr. Brent Stanfield, Dr. Joshua Messinger, and Dr. Micah Luftig

  • Senior Distinction Presentation (2018)

    • Natchitoches, LA - Oral

  • LSU Research Presentation

    • Baton Rouge, LA - Poster

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