College of Medicine, Atkinson & Wasserfall Labs

Under the mentorship of PhD student LeeAnn Hewitt, a PCICU RN, I have gained valuable experience in Wasserfall Labs at UF's Diabetes Institute. The lab is primarily focused on examining immunogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes and possible disease prevention. We currently are working on a few individual projects, including human and mouse clinical studies. Our first project focuses on human breast milk immunology, specifically evaluating alterations in cytokines among women with confirmed Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes versus healthy controls. Additionally, I have assisted LeeAnn in her study examining immunologic alterations in patients with congenital heart defects in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU following surgery. Throughout my time in Wasserfall labs and the Diabetes Institute I have been immersed in the biomedical labs, building foundational laboratory skills and reinforcing years of passion for the impactful science behind the practice. I have spent numerous hours utilizing various tools including micropipettes, stripettes, centrifuges, flow cytometers, microscopes, and numerous devices enhancing my understanding of the scientific process. I have also had experience working with caustic, corrosive, and carcinogenic solutions utilizing proper equipment and protocol. This consisted of fume hood precautions, sterility maintenance, and delicate hand work completing various experiments in short time windows. While in the lab, I have worked with various biofluids and have assisted in blood collection utilizing my nursing skills gained this previous semester. I will continue to work with LeeAnn throughout the 2024 to 2025 school year as she formally Co-Mentors me in the UF College of Nursing EMBRACE Program.