College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ labs and classrooms were abuzz this spring as faculty-sponsored research projects were implemented by the latest recipients of the LAS Dean’s High Impact Award for Undergraduate Research. Four undergraduate students affiliated with Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology faculty from across LAS participated in the spring 2023 cohort.

Karissa Lageson (’23 biology)
Mentored by Clyde Campbell, adjunct assistant professor of genetics, development, and cell biology

One day, blood donor shortages could be a thing of the past. Karissa Lageson is researching genes that are involved in embryonic hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is critical for human health. Lageson is working on identifying and interrogating the genes involved to build the network of signals and factors that drive cells of the embryo to be hematopoietic stem cells.

“This research is interesting because it could help treatments for blood diseases and hopefully remove the need for blood donors,” Lageson said. “A patient in need of specific blood cell types can have their own cells harvested and reprogrammed into the necessary hematopoietic cell types. This would help bypass donor shortages and graft versus host diseases.”

Isabelle Lein (’25 biology)
Mentored by Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor and director of the biology and genetics undergraduate program

Isabelle Lein’s research in the Sakaguchi Lab on campus could someday help people regain feeling in their bodies where segments of peripheral nerves have been lost due to a severe accident. She is creating devices that signal nerve fibers to quickly regenerate.

“The coolest part of my research is seeing the different morphology of individual cells,” Lein said. “It is remarkable being able to see how complex and beautiful such small units can be.”

Eric Kremer (’24 biology)
Mentored by Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor and director of the biology and genetics undergraduate program

Bridget McGovern (’24 biology)
Mentored by Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor and director of the biology and genetics undergraduate program

Read the complete article by visiting LAS News article, Undergraduate researchers shine this spring.