Page 3 - IBP In Focus Newsletter

t NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS
INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY t 3
2021 IBP graduate student cohort
Jenna Mendelson
I am originally from a northern suburb of Chicago, and graduated from Ohio State University in 2016 where I studied pharmaceutical sciences and was in the marching band. After graduation, I lived in southern Brazil for a year and worked with college students. For the past 4 years I was a research technician at Rosalind Franklin University in the Resuscitation Institute. I worked on large animal models of hemorrhagic shock, traumatic brain injury, and cardiac arrest, and devel- oped mouse models of hemorrhagic shock and cardiac arrest. My main research interest is in cardiovascular science, especially resuscitation. I am excited be starting this graduate program at the University of Minnesota!
Rawan Almutlaq
I was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After graduating from King Abdulaziz University with B.S. in Biochemistry. I came to the United States and obtained M.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Promptly after finishing my master’s degree, I joined Dr. David Pollock’s Department of Nephrology lab at UAB as a Research Assistant. In Dr. Pollock’s lab, I was actively involved in projects investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms behind sex-related differences in renal regulation of blood pressure and cardiovascular health. I moved to Minnesota this July, and I am excited to start the IBP program at UMN.
Gavin Fredrickson
I am currently a researcher in the Revelo Lab. As an undergraduate researcher, my research was focused on understanding the mechanisms by which exercise reduces inflammation in models of obesity. Along with my own research, I worked in collaboration with many groups exploring the immune mechanisms within their specific areas of interest. This work has led me to my current interest in immunometabolism. As a graduate student, I would like to continue exploring the inter- action between metabolism and immune function.
Sara Puccini
In May 2021 I completed my B.S. in biochemistry here at the University of Minnesota. My current research in the Metzger Lab focuses on the molecular mechanism behind chronic cancer cachexia characterized by long term cardiac and skeletal muscle wasting and cardiac dysfunction. In partic- ular, I am looking at the persistent crosstalk between adipose tissue and both cardiac and skeletal muscle initiated by tumor cells. My long term research interests include translational studies in cellular crosstalk between tumors and their microenvironments, as well as cellular communica- tion in other disease states that pertain to the brain, heart, and immune system, with the goal of discovering novel drug targets. In addition, I am interested in regenerative medicine and research in drug response and resistance. When not in the lab I like to be outside at the lake or on the ski hill. I love to travel and explore new places both in the city and out in nature. I also enjoy cooking and discovering new local restaurants.