Major: Neuroscience Research Department: Neuroscience Graduation Date: December 2020 Contact: [email protected]
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by communication deficits, abnormal social interests, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Through a forward genetics approach (using mouse ENU mutagenesis), we identified Kdm5a as a candidate ASD gene. KDM5A (Lysine Demethylase 5A) (JARID1A, RBBP2) is a lysine specific demethylase for H3K4me2/3. It belongs to the JARID1 (Jumanji AT-rich interactive domain-1) protein family (JARID1A/KDM5A, JARID1B/KDM5B, JARID1C/KDM5C, JARID1D/KDM5D). When H3K4 is methylated, it is associated with active gene expression. Therefore, when Kdm5a demethylates H3K4, it acts to silence expression. We aim to characterize the compensatory, functional, and molecular mechanisms of KDM5A. Specifically, we aim to test if compensation occurs by the other histone demethylases in the JARID1 family and whether H3K4me3 levels will be globally affected following KDM5A KO.
What does research mean to you? If you asked me this question a year ago, I would’ve told you that research is knowing the exact words to type into a search engine. If I were being more professional, I might’ve said that research is making observations and drawing conclusions. Though not wrong, absolutely incomplete. Research is just about the ‘science’ as it is about the creativity, uniqueness, and collaboration of everyone involved. Our ideas are built on each other. None of us can be a one-person army. However, this is not to say that individuality should be neglected.
So what does research mean to me? Well, it means a lot of things: It’s a conversation, it’s a blindfolded start on a journey, it’s reading between the lines. Most importantly, it’s hard work and an innate passion that drives every human to discovery. Tell us about your journey. As a youngster, I thought everything had already been discovered - naive, I know. In my defense, I was never surrounded by academics. In high school, finding out that there is still more to explore set me on a goal: learn everything. Still naive, I know. Yet, this relentless passion sent me searching for research programs as soon as I started college (there were no accessible research opportunities abroad during high school). Along the way, experiences with some of the most amazing people drew me to neuroscience. Then my interests grew narrower, I wanted to focus on special needs groups. I got the opportunity to do just that with the Green Fellows in Dr. Chahrour’s lab. Not only did I learn a ton about autism (and how complicated it can get), but I also started learning about all the different ways I can serve special needs groups. Ultimately, my journey has fueled my passion for discovery and reinforced my commitment to serve individuals with special needs.
How did the pandemic affect me? The pandemic has introduced many challenges such as forcing a few projects to be put on hold, eliminating the summer research program (SURF) and making my lab work from home. However, it has opened up a lot of doors to invest more deeply in the scientific process — read research, ingest it, and synthesize that knowledge. So in every calamity, there is a silver lining. I am so glad to have the support of my family, the other fellows and my amazing lab through these challenging times and I believe it has made us closer and improved our communication.
Where am I now? I will be pursuing an MD attending UT Southwestern this fall with a focus on special needs disorders.
Advice for Future Green Fellows
-Join something you are truly passionate about so that you can make progress -Make mistakes and ask questions.If you’re making mistakes you’re learning something. If you’re overwhelmed, you’ll learn to use it as fuel for your success. -Go to lunchtime-seminars to learn some interesting knowledge and get free food!