MSURJ Author Profiles 2024

The Abstract Team

Want to meet the undergraduates behind the upcoming MSURJ issue? Check out the profiles below and attend the MSURJ Launch on April 5th, 2024!

Optimization of Experimental Conditions to Characterize Perineuronal Nets in the Human Cerebellum

Author: Lena Hug (she/her), U3 Psychology and Biology

Can you give a brief summary of the review you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

I worked on the impact of child abuse on the perineuronal nets population in the cerebellum of people who suffered from suicidal depression. Perineuronal nets are important in brain plasticity and are involved in memory processes. They were shown to surround PV neurons (which generate gamma oscillation, essential for memory retrieval). This work aims to optimize RNAscope and Immunofluorescence processes to provide a “fertile” ground for future research. This research is still ongoing, but it will be one of the first that look at cellular and molecular substrates of child abuse and depression, in the cerebellum. 

Why did you/how did you come to decide to conduct research as an undergrad? 

I wanted to gain more experience in a wet lab, in the domain of study that interests me. I met my supervisor (Refilwe Mpai) at a Scientista event where she presented her research. I then joined the Mechawar lab for my NSCI 396 course in Fall 2023.

What prompted you to conduct research on your selected topic? 

I am captivated by memory formation, especially the developmental impact in adulthood. I also wanted to study these processes at a cellular and molecular level, as we know little about the mechanisms behind them.

Why is it important to conduct research as an undergraduate?

Having this opportunity at the Mechawar lab taught so much about the lab setting, rules and what it looks like daily. I think it is important to conduct research as an undergraduate, as it helped find what I want to do in graduate school and taught me the importance of the team itself. I am now doing another research class at the Sossin lab, testing if other lab dynamics work for me and refining my research interests.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?
What do you have to lose? Nothing! So send that email, talk to this professor, go to conferences. I used to be so scared to ask questions but most of the people you’ll meet are receptive and welcoming. Try once and you’ll see!

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?
I was quite afraid of this experience. I’d always heard about peer review being very harsh and violent. I tried to detach myself from my work and prepare to review it from A to Z. But I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the reviews. All the comments were relevant and well explained for my level. It taught me to better understand this crucial stage of editing.

Is there a scientist that you look up to?
Coming from a more philosophical background, the relationship between Man and Animal is central in my studies. I’ve read a lot of Jane Goodall’s books. I’ve always been fascinated by her journey and discoveries. She was a pioneer in research on Chimpanzees and the importance of conserving their ecosystem. Her fascination with wildlife has pushed her to the frontiers of unknown worlds, and that inspires me a lot.

Orthopedics in Space Travel: Developing Procedures to Evaluate the Safety of Implants Amidst the Rise of Commercial Space Tourism

Authors:

Chloe Jacquet, U3 Bioengineering, McGill University

Jay Patel, U3 Mechanical Engineering, McGill University

Xingbo Huang, U3 Mechanical Engineering, McGill University

Pierre Khoury, U3 Electrical Engineering, McGill University

Theodore Glavas, U3 Computer Engineering, McGill University

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

We were particularly interested in the complications associated with the vast expansion of the commercial space industry. We expect that with lowered barriers to entry, space travel will include passengers with more complex medical conditions. Particularly, we wondered how the increased forces and vibrations might influence the stability of mechanical implants, like orthopedics. Our paper aims to initiate the development of procedures for assessing the safety of space travel for individuals with orthopedic implants. In preparation for the McGill Rocket Team’s 2023 sounding rocket launch, the team developed a bone model, a human model, a finite element analysis model, and a testing model. The report evaluates these models and lay the groundwork for further exploration into a largely novel domain of research.

Why did you/how did you come to decide to conduct research as an undergrad? 

While we thoroughly enjoy our coursework, we find that the strong theoretical basis of McGill’s programs fail to provide practical applications of skills. Therefore, many of us joined the team in search of an application of our in-class learning. However, we never expected how the team would transform our undergraduate experience. We are eternally grateful for the opportunities that Rocket Team has provided us to conduct research with the freedom to develop our own scope and constraints. Student-led research allows us to improve our confidence, and our interpersonal and management skills. Ultimately, beyond academics, we found community and ourselves in the process. 

What prompted you to conduct research on your selected topic? 

As the orthopedics project lead, Chloe was in charge of selecting the project. Being in bioengineering, she sought to find the intersection of the team’s scope with her personal interests. Space medicine became an obvious choice. In the Summer of 2022, Theodore came to us with an initial idea developed with Dr. Peter Glavas. Overtime, with the advice of multiple professors and industry professionals, we took a rough back-of-the-napkin proposal to the developed report produced. We would like to thank Dr. Peter Glavas, Dr. Ahmed Aoude, and Dr. Emily Newell for their feedback and guidance. None of this would have been possible without their time and expertise. 

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

McGill’s design teams are the perfect place to gain student-led research experience. There is a common misconception that only engineering students can benefit from them. As a bioengineering student, Chloe is often questioned as to “why” and “what” she does as a lead on Rocket Team. However, the beauty of Rocket Team is its interdisciplinarity and culture of teaching. We include business, science, and even arts students who are equal contributors. The hard practical and management skills we have gained on the team could not be replicated in a class environment. To any undergraduate, we recommend joining a design team to apply in-class knowledge – and further, to learn collaboration and build community.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

The publishing/peer review process gave us insight into the academic review process. Collaborating with the MSURJ team allowed us to curate the paper to its best version. The experts located specific technological errors in our report. Further, the editors, having less experience in our specific topic, outlined clarity errors to make the report digestible to a larger range of readers. 

How did your research benefit from collaboration? 

The research would absolutely not have been possible without the collaboration of all our members. Our topic is unique as it contains components from a wide range of expertise– including biology, computer engineering, electrical engineering, medicine, and mechanical engineering. Our amazing interdisciplinary team allowed us to curate an expansive project covering each of these components. This collaboration required weekly meetings within the subteam, weekly meetings integrating with the other subteams, and periodic meetings with our mentors. 

Is there a scientist that you look up to? 

A scientist we look up to is Dr. Emily Newell. When mentoring us, she impressed everyone with her depth of knowledge and intelligence. Her research into the mechanical properties of stress shielding and its role in lower back pain is particularly impressive. We are honored to have received her input throughout the year.

Properties of Accretion Discs Around Black Holes Through Modelling

Author: Wiktoria Tarnopolska (she/her), final year of MSci Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Bristol, UK

Can you give a brief summary of the review you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

This is a research article from work over Summer 2023. My research was a theoretical work utilising a novel software, written by my colleague Fergus Baker as a part of his PhD program, in numerical modelling of black holes. This work is especially important because there are significant constraints on observations of black holes. Numerical modelling serves as an important tool in understanding these fascinating objects. It enables us to test our understanding of fundamental physics, such as interactions between matter and electromagnetic radiation, as well as more extreme physics, since black holes are sources of a strong gravitational field.

Why did you/how did you come to decide to conduct research as an undergrad? 

I have always been interested in black holes and compelled to put my abilities to the test in a real research environment. Taking up this research opportunity over summer after my third year under supervision of Professor Andrew Young allowed me to expand my knowledge, significantly improve my programming skills, and convinced me to take my career in that direction. The next step is a PhD starting in September!

What prompted you to conduct research on your selected topic? 

It was mainly my own interest that motivated me to conduct this research. I think it is important to take all of the opportunities given at University, especially if one is considering a career in research or a PhD. It is a good prelude of the things to come!

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

I would say being aware of the current research is very important. It is even better if you know what is of interest to you personally, then you can find a person with whom your interests align, and talk about developing any specific skills.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

I definitely gained a lot of confidence in my work. I also gained awareness of how to communicate to a wider audience. I think after the peer review and editorial work my article was in a lot better shape– it was also a great practice for my dissertation!

Is there a scientist that you look up to? 

Yes, in fact, the scientist I admire the most is my grandfather, Zbigniew Komorowski, to whom I dedicated my article. Whilst not directly involved in physics (his work focused on chemistry, then psychology), his impact was absolutely indescribable and his support was what got me to this point in my academic career. I am convinced I would not have been able to make it so far if it was not for his steadfast encouragement. Although, I am also a big fan of Leonard Susskind’s work!

The Effects of Climate Change on Oceanic Sonar Use in the Upper European Continental Shelf

Author: Abigail Farkas (she/her), Physics U3 at McGill University

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

I conducted a study examining the potential effects of climate change on underwater sound in the oceans around Europe. Climate change is and will be a huge overarching issue within our lifetimes, and its effects are pervasive into every aspect of the world around us, some more surprising than others. Even sound itself is affected! My study concluded that the effects relevant to vessel sonar use may be negligible, but it is important nevertheless to quantify and compare predictions to reality as these changes unfold.

Why did you/how did you come to decide to conduct research as an undergrad? 

I have always loved solving new problems and finding answers to the questions I have about science. Of course, it is unrealistic to think that as undergraduates we might discover the true nature of dark matter and change the world. I started by just attending and listening to many conference talks, absorbing as much as I could and further researching what I didn’t understand in the papers I was reading. At some point in my progress through university, my technical skills and knowledge reached a point for the first time where I was reading a paper, had a question in mind about the topic, and then it popped up in my mind: “Hey, I know how to start researching that and I want to try discovering the answer myself!”   

What prompted you to conduct research on your selected topic? 

This particular topic about sound and climate change was prompted by taking PHYS 404 with Yi Huang. I am interested in all things sound and acoustics, and my prior understanding of how sound is affected by changes in temperature and pressure gave me the idea to study the effects in the ocean, where sound depends on a lot more factors subject to change with global warming.  

Why is it important to conduct research/reviews as an undergraduate?

I think the best reason to conduct research during your undergraduate is simply for practice! Researching, writing papers, giving presentations– all of these are skills which only improve with practice. We won’t wake up one day in a master’s or PhD program or a researcher, so there is no better time to start than in undergrad where you have all the support and resources that the university has to offer you.  

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

I think I can only give the advice that I would have wanted to hear a few years ago: don’t overwhelm yourself, but also don’t overhype yourself. As I stated before, nobody is expecting us as undergrads to change the world, so it is enough to just start with one calculation at a time. At the same time, put yourself into the places where full-time researchers and veteran scientists are, and approach it with the mindset that you are there to learn and absorb all you can from them. Believe me, they LOVE seeing passionate undergraduates and love even more being asked questions by somebody who has read their papers! 

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

The peer review process was so positive for me, I was getting direct feedback and comments from experts in the field. I was so grateful to get that insight into how I should examine my own future work to make it more comprehensive.   

Is there a scientist that you look up to? 

I really admire Yi Huang, who is now my supervisor for my undergraduate thesis project! I have been reading his published works and connecting his methods into my own project, while getting direct feedback and getting a look into the field of atmospheric radiation research.   

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I hope this might give just a bit of inspiration to anyone wanting to start their own research! Take advantage of all the support McGill can offer you, and get to know the MSURJ team who I am sure have some great insight into starting your undergraduate research if you’re thinking of taking that first step!

Cinnamomum cassia and Origanum compactum Essential Oils as Antifungal Candidates for the Treatment of Aspergillosis

Student Authors:

Manon Leclercq (she/her/hers), PhD student in neurosciences at Institut de la Vision in Paris, France

Isciane Commenge (she/her/hers), Research Engineer at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France

Marylou Bouriot (she/her/hers), Engineer in Immunology at Immutep in Saint-Aubin, France

Floricia Crusset (she/her/hers), CIFRE PhD student at ExAdEx-Innov (Nice, France)

(Manon Leclercq, Isciane Commenge, Marylou Bouriot, and Floricia Crusset were students enrolled in the “Engineer in Biotechnologies” graduate program at SupBiotech (class of 2021) at the time of conducting the research reported in the article.)

Further Authors and Supervisors: Julien Grimaud (he/him/his), Assistant Professor of Life Sciences at SupBiotech (Villejuif, France); Jacqueline Bert-Sarfati (she/her/hers), main tutor of the project, retired from the Institut Pasteur (Paris, France); Agnès Saint-Pol (she/her/hers), Associate Professor of Life Sciences at SupBiotech; Patrick Gonzalez (he/him/his), Assistant Professor of Life Sciences at SupBiotech; Frank Yates (he/him/his), Associate Professor of Life Sciences at SupBiotech

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

Aspergillosis is a lung infection caused by a common genus of fungi called Aspergillus. Current treatments can have harsh side effects and are not always effective. Therefore, we looked for better options. We investigated essential oils because, over the past few years, several research teams have reported on the antifungal potential of various essential oils against Aspergillus strains. We tested many oils against Aspergillus oryzae, a type of Aspergillus known to cause some forms of the infection. Two oils stood out from our tests: Origanum compactum (oregano) and Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon). Both showed strong effects against the fungus. In particular, Cinnamomum cassia killed Aspergillus oryzae at concentrations that are considered safe in clinical conditions. This suggests it could be a safer and more effective treatment for aspergillosis compared to current options.

Why did you/how did you come to decide to conduct research as an undergrad?

ML: This study began as a school project to teach us how to conduct research, build hypotheses, and prepare protocols. We were quickly able to observe a real therapeutic interest in the results we were obtaining. In addition, thanks to the support of our teachers, we were able to deepen our research by supplementing our results with additional experiments in their laboratory.

IC: We were a team of four students in collaboration with teachers. So, we had to conduct research, find a topic, formulate hypotheses, understand issues, and test all of this in the lab. We obtained good results during the year of research. And thanks to the motivation of the whole team, we pushed our experiments a little further to obtain better results and select two interesting essential oils.

MB: This project was, at the beginning, part of our graduation program. It was already started by a previous group of students who graduated when we took the reins. Results went faster than expected and the work was efficient, so at the end of our graduation process we asked to finish this project properly with our tutor’s help. It turned out that the school supported us by giving access to their lab for extended time. Then thanks to our motivation, professors, and school help, we ended by responding to our initial hypothesis. It wasn’t really expected to go so far but we are extremely grateful that it went!

What prompted you to conduct research on your selected topic? Why is it important to conduct research as an undergraduate?

ML: When our professors saw our results and the low concentrations of essential oils we were using to kill Aspergillus oryzae, they saw the value of pursuing this study. Thanks to their support, we were able to write an article and take the first steps to publish. 

IC: It is interesting to conduct research as an undergraduate to learn the right methods and tips from our teachers. It gives us a first step into the big leagues before taking on the full onslaught of academic research.

MB: The topic was already selected and was fine with everybody. Our tutor and professors saw the first results and our motivation and supported us to continue. It was a great way to be trained.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

JG: Many universities have undergraduate research programs where students can get involved– they are a great opportunity to get a first research experience. For instance, the research reported in our article was conducted as part of the “Projets Fils Rouges”, a lab course offered at SupBiotech, where engineering students are given the opportunity to work on novel research questions and develop their own experimental approach in collaboration with senior researchers. While the students enrolled in the “Projets Fils Rouges” select a scientific topic from a predefined list and meet with their tutor on a regular basis, they must come up with their own questions and hypotheses, write their own protocols, as well as plan and execute their own research plan, which must fit within a limited time frame and budget. Undergraduate research programs are perfect for discovering the various aspects of research in a low-stress environment. By “low-stress” I mean: without the pressure that usually comes when working in an actual research lab: pressure to publish, to find funding…

ML: If someone is interested in research, I would tell them to be curious, to always ask questions about the why’s and the how’s and, above all, to never give up. This is because you will always find something, even if it takes a long time.

IC: My advice would be to persevere with the research project. Do not be afraid to test hypotheses. You also need to be well organized when collecting data. And finally, to have a close-knit team ready to listen, in order to make the best possible progress.

MB: Research can be hard, for many reasons. But it teaches so much! I think the best advice is to not give up at the first batch of nonsense results, and to also be patient. All results, bad and good, are a way to solve the initial problem or hypothesis.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you

ML: The review highlighted any imprecisions we might have made. It also gave us an external view of our work so we could continue to improve.

MB: It was interesting to see all the steps we needed to go through and all the questions and “corrections” we needed to make. We were so focused on the project that we missed some details which were so obvious to us, but needed to be clarified from an external point of view. It was great training!

JG: I was very pleased with the quality and the level of detail of the peer-reviews we got– they really helped us improve our work. In addition, the editors made the whole submission, evaluation, and revision process extremely easy. The quality of MSURJ’s editorial process is on par with more well-known publishing groups!

How did your research benefit from collaboration?

ML: This research was a school project as part of our cursus, and we were supervised by teachers who also worked in laboratories attached to the school. When it came time to continue the project, they offered for us to come and do our experiments in their laboratory and provided us with materials.

Elevated Ambient Carbon Dioxide Levels Induce Attraction but Not Attachment of Adult Ixodes scapularis in Artificial Membrane Feeding

Author: Elizabeth Breitbach (she/her), undergraduate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth at time of research. Now a Medical Student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, USA

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

Ticks are responsible for over 95% of vector-borne disease cases in the United States. Feeding studies on ticks have transitioned from the use of animals to artificial membrane feeding to improve standardization of experiments, decrease costs, and improve animal welfare. However, membrane feeding is notoriously tricky and requires the addition of multiple stimulants to facilitate successful feeding. Our work aimed to develop a working artificial membrane feeding chamber to study the effects of elevated ambient CO2 levels on encouraging tick attachment. Optimizing parameters to facilitate feeding will set the stage for further experiments exploring the transmission of B. burgdorferi, the bacteria causing Lyme disease.

What prompted you to conduct research on your selected topic?

I have always been interested in projects that combine different elements of biomedical engineering, medicine, and public health because this type of research has a significant impact on people. Lyme disease is an important public health concern, especially in my home state of Minnesota, so creating better avenues to understand how it is transmitted and proliferates is essential.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

Talk to as many faculty about their work as possible! It is always inspiring to listen to topics that people are incredibly passionate about even if you don’t end up on the project. You might develop an interest in something you have never considered before.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

The peer review process really solidified my understanding of our research since I had to explain the choices I made, such as with experimental design or data analysis. I learned a lot from the reviewers and appreciate their time and expertise. 

A Replication Study to Evaluate the Effects of Awe on Humility

Authors: Alexandra Bertrand, Salomé Duhamel, Jonah Kimmel, Héloise Puel, Alexandra Schifano, and Émilie Wood (all Psychology Undergraduates at McGill University)

How did you conduct research as an undergrad? 

This project was conducted as our main lab for the course PSYC 351: Research Methods in Social Psychology, during the Fall 2023 semester. Although it was not easy, we were able to accomplish this interesting research study through dedicating long hours to conducting the study, writing, and editing, and most importantly, great teamwork. 

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ?

This is a replication of a study originally conducted by Stellar and co in 2018. It looked at whether an awe-inducing video (amongst other things) would lead participants to be more humble. Due to the inconclusiveness of the original findings and statistics demonstrating higher rates of depression in university students compared to the general population, we formulated and then tested an alternative hypothesis which posed that depression might mediate humility more than awe. We had half of the participants watch an awe-inducing video depicting the expansion of the universe, and the other half a video on how to build a wall (neutral condition). Participants filled out a measure of humility and a depression scale. We were unable to directly replicate the original study (Stellar, 2018) and failed to support our alternate hypothesis regarding depression.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

Be patient. Conducting research is extremely exciting, but can come with frustrations and setbacks. Don’t let yourself be held back by the difficult and challenging moments. Enjoy the time spent learning new things and exploring topics you are fascinated by. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Research is all about collaboration and bringing people’s minds together to create knowledge.

Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms: Using Examples from Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

Zhiwen Xiao (he/him), 2nd year Undergraduate Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, England, UK at time of research

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

I wrote a mini literature review about a heated topic: antimicrobial resistance. In this review, I briefly summarised three main aspects related to antimicrobial resistance: different underlying mechanisms, novel therapeutics, and societal impact. I contrasted and compared different mechanisms used by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. For each category, I selected some of the most deadly and troublesome bacteria according to the World Health Organisation as examples and described their specific resistance mechanisms.

What prompted you to write a review article on your selected topic? 

When I finished the second year of my undergraduate program, I wanted to explore more in the field of microbiology. Writing a review on an interesting topic in microbiology was a way of exploring and organising various research concepts. 

Why is it important to conduct reviews as an undergraduate?

Writing a review allowed me to dive deep into a topic and learn about its current research and further development. This helped me to decide if I wanted to continue my studies in this field later on.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

Do some extra reading on topics that interest you, and look for any labs in your institution that carry out similar research. Then, ask if you can join their labs to gain some research experience.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

By receiving constructive comments from peer reviewers, I could improve my writing. It helped toI know what parts I needed to expand more, and found several structural and wording issues that I did not realise previously.

Is there a scientist that you look up to?

Yes, Sir Alexander Fleming.

Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer: The Role of mTOR Signaling in Mediating Resistance to Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Olivia Dumas (she/her), Year 1 of Master of Science in Physiology at McGill University

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

My review focuses on selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs): a first-line endocrine therapy for treating estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. It highlights the efficacy of Tamoxifen, the most widely used SERM, in reducing breast cancer progression and mortality by antagonizing estrogen receptors. Despite its success, only around one-third of treated women acquire endocrine resistance, heightening the risk of cancer recurrence. Therefore, my review, along with similar works, explores the current research on potential mechanisms to overcome this resistance, particularly emphasizing the promising potential of mTOR inhibitors in re-sensitizing breast cancer cells to SERM therapy. This research holds significant importance in combating resistance against breast cancer endocrine therapies and advancing the fight against this disease.

What prompted you to write a review article on your selected topic? 

I have always had a keen interest in endocrinology, so naturally I enrolled in an advanced endocrinology course during my undergraduate studies. As part of the course, we were assigned a semester-long research project, and I chose this topic. Given the history of breast cancer in my family and my personal interest in oncology, I was eager to delve into research on this therapy and explore both its shortcomings and its significant contribution to improving outcomes for patients affected by breast cancer. 

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and email professors even if you encounter rejection or lack of response. Someone will eventually recognize your potential and offer you the opportunity to work in their laboratory or on a project with them. When that happens, the experience you gain will be pivotal for your future career success.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

The peer review process was very beneficial to me because it gave me insight into the behind-the-scenes of scientific publishing. It also helped me improve on my scientific writing based on the expertise and feedback provided by my reviewers. I feel more prepared and excited for my future publications!

Is there a scientist that you look up to? 

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are two female scientists whom I admire. They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 for their development of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. Their groundbreaking contribution has not only revolutionized the field of molecular biology, medicine, and biotechnology, but has also played a crucial role in dismantling barriers of gender imbalance for women in STEM fields. Their success demonstrates that women can excel in scientific fields traditionally dominated by men, fostering confidence in myself and other women as we pursue our scientific aspirations.

The Use of Leishmania-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Vaccine Platform Against Emerging Viral Diseases: A Systematic Review

Susan Cai (she/her). U3 Microbiology and Immunology

Can you give a brief summary of the work you submitted to MSURJ and its importance?

This systematic review explores the current knowledge on the use of Leishmania-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a vaccine platform; more specifically, this review focuses on the development and future potential of utilizing Leishmania EVs to combat emerging viral diseases that have no viable or effective vaccine options. Studies have shown that Leishmania EVs themselves are intrinsically immunogenic, and that it is truly the contents of these EVs that contribute to the pathogenesis associated with certain species of Leishmania– this combination of immunogenicity and apparent lack of pathogenesis make Leishmania EVs an intriguing candidate to use in novel approaches to vaccines. Various research groups and companies have already taken an interest in modifying EVs (ones produced by immortalized cell lines or Saccharomyces) to express viral proteins derived from viruses such as SARS-CoV2 to utilize in novel immunization strategies. Although some of these groups have demonstrated success in eliciting an antiviral immune response (i.e. via antibody or cytokine production), this review suggests that the potential use of Leishmania as an expression system for modified EVs may prove to be a more effective and efficient model.

What prompted you to write a review article on your selected topic? 

This review was written as part of my coursework for MIMM 301, which is a course entirely dedicated to scientific writing! MIMM 301 was a great way for students, myself included, to be exposed to a different side of research– one where you’re not necessarily benchside, but still contributing to the synthesis of knowledge and innovative solutions. However, my interest in the topic of Leishmania and extracellular vesicles comes from the research work I did as an undergraduate intern with the Descoteaux Lab at l’Institut National de Recherche Scientifique the summer prior to writing this review. During my time with the Descoteaux Lab, I investigated the role of host SNARE proteins in the formation of parasitophorous vacuoles. The intriguing subject of EVs really only ever came up in the passing– hence, when I saw an opportunity to learn more about the biology of Leishmania I immediately took to it.

Why is it important to conduct research/reviews as an undergraduate?

As I mentioned, writing reviews is a great way for undergraduates to develop a comprehensive understanding of scientific issues that have multiple layers– which at times can make them daunting to discuss and learn about. Writing a review also means gathering and connecting pieces of research to create a solid starting point for new directions and future innovation. It allows us to identify gaps in the literature and guide the scientific community in a direction that ultimately generates an appreciable impact and change on medicine, healthcare and (as grand as it sounds) society.

What advice would you give to an undergraduate interested in getting research experience?

I know this is advice that is often repeated, but cold-emailing and attending networking events is a great way to start! Find a couple of articles that interest you (articles mentioned in class, when researching something for coursework, etc.), read them, and email the corresponding PI expressing your interest and explaining how you came across their work. Describing some of your qualifications can always help too! Don’t be discouraged if you receive a ‘no’ or don’t hear back from the PI at all. PIs are extremely busy, and sometimes it just comes down to a thing of timing. Try following up on the email a week later if you haven’t heard anything yet. As for networking events, keep your eyes open when student associations send out newsletters! Wine and Cheese events happen every academic year and they’re a great way to get to know some of your professors.

How was the publishing/peer review process beneficial to you?

Personally, as obvious as it sounds, the peer review process has taught me how to set aside my opinions about my work and edit my own writing critically, from an objective standpoint. It can be easy to dismiss constructive feedback that you don’t necessarily agree with (or in some cases, it can be even easier to be dismissive when you receive incredibly blunt and negative comments), but I think with each exposure to peer review I’ve begun to see it as an opportunity to go back to my work and genuinely pick apart the flow and reasoning of my writing. After all, what scientific writing is trying to communicate is a narrative embedded in the natural world, and it is the author’s responsibility to construct a comprehensible storyline for the reader to follow and highlight the appropriate elements that will ultimately push the field forward. So, learning to take some comments with a grain of salt, but still recognizing that the indicated area of concern isn’t as clear as it could be has been a tremendous refinement of my academic skill set.

Is there a scientist that you look up to? 

Polly Matzinger! Her story of how she found her way into scientific research and built an illustrious career always reminds me that success will come with time (her proposed Danger Model changed the way the scientific community thought about the immune system). 

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