Hannah Aichelman Receives 2023 Belamarich Award
Dr. Hannah Aichelman of the Davies Lab was selected as the winner of the 2023 Belamarich Award for her doctoral dissertation in Biology titled “Exploring Coral Symbiosis Under Climate Change Stress Across Spatial and Temporal Scales.” This award is given annually to a recent PhD candidate for their outstanding doctoral dissertation completed in the Department of Biology. The selection committee was impressed by Hannah’s deft use of diverse techniques from physiological experiments to genomics to address her research questions, which resulted in an impressive body of work already having an impact in her research community. The committee also appreciated Hannah’s extensive outreach efforts, strong mentoring record, and generous service to the Department. More information about her research is below.
Coral reefs, along with the biodiversity and communities they support, are threatened globally. While research efforts have increased our ability to understand and predict coral bleaching events, fundamental questions remain surrounding how genetic diversity of the coral symbiosis and interactions with its environment can drive resilience or resistance under climate change. Hannah's dissertation research endeavored to fill this knowledge gap, and she built a research program that combined genomics, physiology, and lab experiments to investigate stress tolerance across both temperate and tropical coral species. This research provides valuable insights into the phenotypic and genotypic mechanisms that contribute to coral success in a changing climate.
Hannah is continuing her research career at BU as a postdoctoral scholar co-advised by Dr. Sean Mullen and Dr. Sarah Davies. She is leveraging whole genome sequencing to understand the genetic underpinnings of mimicry in butterflies, while still spending some time exploring coral reefs with the Davies Lab.
As in previous years, there will be a Belamarich Award Night to celebrate our award winner. The night includes a seminar given by the awardee, a brief ceremony, and a reception. The Seminar will be held on Monday, October 30th at 4:30pm in BRB 113. The Award Ceremony will take place immediately after, with the Reception following down the hall in BRB 117, from ~5:30pm-6:30pm. We are honored to have the Belamarich family joining us again to celebrate this year’s award winner.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Belamarich Award Night!
More about the Belamarich Award:
Frank A. Belamarich joined the BU Biology Department in 1963 as an assistant professor where he quickly gained international recognition for his research in the field of comparative hemostasis, the process of blood clotting. Throughout his tenure at BU he was a popular teacher of a core course in cell biology which he developed. Belamarich maintained research laboratories in Boston as well as at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole in Falmouth, MA as part of the BU Marine Program.
Congratulations, Hannah!
Rhushikesh Phadke Receives Brenton R. Lutz Award
MCBB PhD candidate Rhushikesh Phadke of the Cruz-Martín Lab is the recipient of this year’s Brenton R. Lutz Award. Rhushikesh's research explores the impact of the immune complement (C) pathway on synaptic plasticity in neurological disorders like schizophrenia (SCZ) and Alzheimer's disease. By increasing levels of complement component 4 (C4), a risk gene for SCZ, Rhushikesh and the Cruz-Martín Lab observed a disruption in the connectivity of developing cortical neurons. Contrary to previous beliefs, C4 acts through a non-canonical mechanism independent of complement receptor 3 (CR3). They discovered an interaction between C4 and Sorting Nexin 27 (SNX27), an endosomal protein, which, when introduced together, restored normal neuronal activity. Their microscopy analysis revealed altered distribution of AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 and colocalization of C4 and SNX27 in dendritic spines. These findings highlight how C4 impairs SNX27 function, leading to endosomal dysregulation, GluR1 degradation, and decreased connectivity. This novel model provides insights into neuron-autonomous mechanisms of complement-dependent synaptic weakening and its relation to microglia-mediated synaptic engulfment.
This award provides support for PhD candidates conducting research in neurobiology or neuroscience and have made significant contributions to their field. Brenton R. Lutz was the first person to receive an MD/PhD at Boston University, receiving his PhD in 1916. He later became a Professor and Chairman of BU’s Department of Biology. Dr. Lutz also gave the first University Lecture at BU on December 11, 1950 “The Living Blood Vessels.”
Congratulations, Rhushikesh!
Michael Zulch Receives Corteva Showcase Award
Michael Zulch, a 4th-year MCBB PhD candidate in the Larkin Lab, has received a travel award from Corteva Agriscience. Specializing in the quantitative relationship between plants and bacteria, Michael explores the impact of light and genetic engineering on quantitative relationship between plants and bacteria.
This award from Corteva Agriscience, one of the world's largest agriculture-focused companies, demonstrates recognition for Michael's potential contributions to the field of industrial agriculture. Corteva Agriscience strives to support up-and-coming scientists, offering a platform to share their scientific achievements at significant venues like the 2023 conference of the American Society of Plant Biologists. This platform provides Michael an opportunity to disseminate his research findings to a broad audience of scientists and industry professionals, furthering their impact.
In addition to his studies, Michael is a fellow of the Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Program and the Biological Design Center at BU. His research, inspired by his industry internship at Joyn Bio (Acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks), aligns with his ambition to conduct meaningful science with a direct impact on industry and agriculture.
Congratulations, Michael!
Ranjan Muthukrishnan Receives Director’s Award for Extraordinary Contributions to BU Marine Program
Congratulations Ranjan!
Director of the Boston University Marine Program, Pete Buston, has awarded Ranjan the Director’s Award for extraordinary contributions to the BU Marine Program.
Ranjan stepped up to fill open slots in the Belize course roster, he adapted calmly to a very dynamic situation when courses were impacted by a hurricane, and took courses to a successful and safe conclusion.
Ranjan was recognized for his contributions at the Marine Science Convocation for Graduating Seniors on Saturday, May 20th, 2023.
BU Biology Alum, Professor Michael Dustin, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship from The Royal Society
The Royal Society has awarded a prestigious fellowship to Professor Michael Dustin, who holds the Kennedy professorship at Oxford University. This recognition is in acknowledgment of his significant contributions to immunology research. Professor Dustin's groundbreaking work revolves around the concept of the immunological synapse, which elucidates how T lymphocytes identify and respond to target cells. He played a pioneering role in utilizing fluorescently labeled native molecules from antigen-presenting cells in supported planar bilayers to determine the molecules and pathways involved in T cell activation following antigen recognition. Additionally, he is renowned for being one of the first researchers to develop imaging techniques that visualize the dynamic nature of immune responses within tissues. His work has laid a crucial foundation for the advancement of therapies targeting T cell responses, particularly in the realms of vaccines and immune-oncology.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Professor Dustin stated, "Becoming a fellow of the Royal Society is an immense honor. I never anticipated such a remarkable privilege and opportunity, and I am deeply appreciative. I eagerly look forward to contributing to the Royal Society's objectives in any way I can."
Professor Dame Fiona Powrie, the Director of the Kennedy Institute, commented on the recognition, saying, "The Royal Society's well-deserved acknowledgment of Mike's pioneering research underscores the invaluable knowledge he has imparted regarding T cell activation, ultimately informing immune therapy approaches for cancer and autoimmune diseases."
Congratulations Michael!
The Garcia-Marcos lab publishes discovery in Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
The Garcia-Marcos lab, in collaboration with members of the Department of Chemistry at Boston University and the CSIC-CIB in Spain, have published in Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) the discovery of a chemical compound that specifically blocks an aberrant mechanism of signaling in cancer cells that drives invasion and metastasis. The publication can be found here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2213140120
Human diseases frequently arise from defects in the mechanisms by which external cues are sensed and relayed to the interior of the cell. The proteins most widely targeted by existing therapeutic agents belong to a large family of cell surface receptors named G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which relay external cues by activating G-proteins in the interior of cells. Here, we report the surprising discovery of a synthetic small molecule that selectively targets G-proteins without compromising their ability to relay signals from GPCRs. Instead, this small molecule disrupts an atypical, GPCR-independent mechanism of G-protein signaling involved in cancer. This work reveals an alternative paradigm in targeting components of a signaling machinery with broad relevance in cellular communication in health and disease.
Joanna Lee Receives the 2023 Outstanding Teaching Fellow in Biology Award
Congratulations to Joanna Lee for receiving the Outstanding Teaching Fellow in Biology Award!
Joanna Lee is recognized for her teaching excellence when teaching Tropical Marine Invertebrates (CAS BI 569) and Marine Genomics (CAS BI 550) this year with her PI, Dr. John Finnerty. In these classes she helped guide the students through the research process and was responsible for preparing their equipment and materials.
“My favorite thing about being a teaching fellow is that I am in a position where I can help students without them feeling judgement. I'm also incredibly thankful for the wonderful students I've worked with; they are teaching me as much as I am teaching them.”
Alex Lion Receives 2023 Charles Terner Award
Congratulations to Alexandra Lion for receiving the Charles Terner Award.
This award supports CM or MCBB Ph.D. candidates who have completed the qualifying exam and made significant contributions to their field. Alexandra is a fifth-year MCBB Ph.D. student conducting research in the Bradham Lab. Her lab studies pattern formation during embryonic development using sea urchin larvae, Lytechinus variegatus as a model. Her project examines the effects of per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) on skeletal patterning. In particular, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and the more recent, reportedly safer chemical hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX).
Congratulations, Alexandra!
Mandy Pinheiro Receives the Summer 2023 I. Alden Macchi and Susan K. Jackson Graduate Award
Congratulations to Mandy Pinheiro for receiving the I. Alden Macchi and Susan K. Jackson Graduate Award!
The Alden Macchi Award supports attending a conference for candidates who have completed the qualifying exam in endocrinology and regulatory biology.
The Susan K. Jackson Award recognizes students who create and nurture community in the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University. Mandy was selected for this award for her efforts to build community in the Department of Biology and the broader Arts & Sciences community through her participation in GWISE as a student advisor and her engagement with events that support the professional development and mentorship of Bio graduate students. She has been a valued mentor to undergraduate students, guiding them through challenging times during the pandemic by creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Congratulations, Mandy!
Graduate Students Awarded Warren-McLeod Fellowships
Congratulations to the 2023 winners of the Warren-McLeod Awards!
Recipients of the summer Warren-McLeod Fellowships:
Morgan Bennett-Smith – Biology Ph.D. student in the Buston Lab
Lucila Bloemendaal – Earth & Environment Ph.D. student in the FitzGerald Lab
JK Da-Anoy – Biology Ph.D. student in the Davies Lab
Joshua Harringmeyer – Earth & Environment Ph.D. student in the Fichot Lab
Recipient of the annual Warren-McLeod Fellowship:
Nia Bartolucci – Earth & Environment Ph.D. student in the Fulweiler Lab
Nia is a 4th year Ph.D. candidate in the Fulweiler lab. She is a coastal biogeochemist studying how climate change and other anthropogenic impacts affect coastal wetlands’ biogeochemistry and ecosystem function and how we can make these systems more resilient to rising sea levels. Specifically, her research investigates how the salt marsh resiliency strategy, thin layer placement of sediment (TLP), impacts greenhouse gas dynamics and nutrient filtration.
Her advice for students interested in a career in marine science is to take advantage of opportunities to get involved in the field. She recommends applying to work in a lab or for a summer REU or internships.
About the Award
In 1990, Patricia Warren, the granddaughter of BU’s 1st President, William Fairfield Warren, to support graduate students in the BU Marine Program (BUMP). Guy McLeod, director of research at the New England Aquarium, was a marine biologist, whose scholarship focused on the role of iron, vanadium, and other metal ions on the physiological ecology of marine animals. Today, the Warren-McLeod fund continues to honor the donors’ intent to support research on marine ecology.
Congratulations, Nia, Morgan, Lucila, JK, and Joshua!