Caitlin Hyland '15
Creating a Model for the Neurological Disease PCCA 2, in Drosophila melanogaster
Major/minor: Biology Major, Environmental Science Minor
Hometown: East Stroudsburg, PA
Project mentor: Dr. Christopher Jones
Project Details:
- Briefly describe your SOAR project.
My project was to recreate the same mutation that was found in patients with the neurological disease called PCCA 2 in fruit flies.
- What motivated you to participate in SOAR?
I hope to get a job doing biological research after graduation, and this project was a great way to gain valuable research experience.
- What are the results of your work on this project?
My project is not finished yet; therefore we do not have any absolute results; we are working on the best way to design a piece of DNA that will get injected into fly embryos and, ultimately, result in the mutation of the flies.
- What are your personal takeaways from the project? And do you plan to continue work on this project after SOAR?
I am thankful for the experiences I gained in biological research and the sense of community that was formed with the other biology SOAR students. I do plan on continuing work on this project after SOAR.
Biographical Information:
- What clubs/sports/activities/community service are you involved in?
I work in the biology department’s greenhouse and animal facility, and I am a member of TriBeta, the biology honor society.
- Have you received any awards/recognitions here?
I have been accepted into the Honors program.
- Briefly, what are your future plans and career goals?
I will pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology with the hopes of working as a geneticist.