D&E senior Carissa Dunn recently presented a scientific poster at the national SACNAS conference in Seattle, WA. A biology/chemistry double major, Dunn plans to pursue an MD/PhD in cancer research.
Carissa Dunn, a senior biology and chemistry double major at Davis & Elkins College, recently presented a research poster at the 2012 Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science in Seattle, Washington. Dunn was selected to participate in the conference entitled “Science, Technology, and Diversity for a Healthy World” after completing a summer cancer research internship at the University of Utah.
In presenting her poster, “Using a Genomic Pathway-Based Drug Screen Approach to Develop a Therapeutic Against Np63 Pathway,” Dunn was able to network with peers and mentors in the scientific community. She attended the conference on a full scholarship from SACNAS and presented research she completed with Drs. Steve Piccolo, Philip Moos and Andrea Bild of the University’s Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
“It was a great opportunity,” Dunn says. “The university really encouraged me to attend because of my work during the internship.”
Her research internship focused on using genomic data to improve cancer drug screening. According to Dunn, this new genomic pathway-based method improves drug screening by targeting pathways and/or phenotypes, not genes.
Her summer internship at the UU was the second research program which Dunn has completed. The previous summer she secured an internship in the Biochemistry Department at WVU where she worked in a genetics lab. Her paid internship included extensive work in developing procedures for making a lentivirus library using what is known as “hairpin” design.
Dunn explains that all of her research experiences have built upon her D&E foundation. “At first I had thought I’d go to D&E for two years, and then have to transfer to get more in-depth research experience,” she says. But encouragement from Dr. Shawn Stover, D&E professor of biology, to apply for the WVU program ultimately led to Utah.
“Carissa is one of the most motivated students I’ve had at D&E,” says Dr. Stover. “She has taken advantage of every opportunity available to her, both in the classroom and in the laboratory. Her substantial research experience, along with the coursework she has taken, has prepared her well for the next phase of her scientific education.”
Dunn’s love of biology began in high school when she first looked into a microscope and “saw a whole new world,” she explains. “To me, there’s a real wow factor in being in a room filled with scientific equipment. During the internships I was so excited every day to go into the laboratory.”
At Davis & Elkins, Dunn has lettered in women’s softball for four years, is president of the College’s Honor Council, president of Chi Beta Phi National Science Honorary and active in several other student organizations. “Coming to D&E has opened so many doors for me,” Dunn says. “All these experiences have provided me with more insight into the real world.”
Although originally from Modesto, CA, she loves living in Elkins and says that she is already looking forward to returning to campus after she graduates this May. “I want to continue to be involved with the College,” she adds. “I can’t imagine being away from here too long.”
Related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
