Undergraduate Researcher
By Izzy Miller ‘23This summer, I had the incredible opportunity of working with the Andersen Lab at Northwestern University as an undergraduate researcher. The Andersen Lab is comprised of staff scientists, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students working together to investigate the genetics of complex traits using a common model species called Caenorhabditis elegans.
My independent research specifically focused on two anti-parasitic medications – Ivermectin and Albendazole – and the way that parasitic organisms evolve resistance to these medications. To better investigate this evolved resistance, my research consisted of two major projects: a computational analysis of resistance-associated-gene expression in the neurons of C. elegans and a large-scale assay exposing various strains of C. elegans to the drugs of interest.
My work this summer furthered my confidence and skill as an independent researcher and affirmed my desire to pursue infectious disease medicine. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to work with the Anderson Lab!
Funding provided by the Annual Fund for Career Readiness provided by Mark Porter '81.