Emilia Gibes
Prep program entry year: 2023
Undergraduate:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Integrative Biology, Human Evolutionary Anthropology
Mentor: Jennifer Kearney
Research Project Description:
I am broadly interested in the field of disease biology, with a specific focus on how genetic mechanisms impact human immunity and pathogenesis. As an undergraduate, I studied the immunogenomic diversification of modern populations in response to Yersinia pestis. In my current lab, I look at the genotype-phenotype relationships of KCNB1, a voltage-gated sodium channel coding gene that has been posited as a novel cause of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-26.
Why did I choose NUIN for my studies?
I chose NUIN PREP for the holistic approach to research, training, and guidance. This opportunity is incredibly helpful in my preparation for grad school, as it has given me a chance to further my technical skills, hone my research interests, and build my confidence as a scientist.