October 22, 2018
Cellular Research
Biology student to present at NCUR 2019
Kennesaw State University junior Hope Didier conducts her research inside the McMurry Lab in the College of Science and Mathematics. Every time she steps inside the lab, she knows there will always be some exciting research to pique her interest.
“My lab focuses on a variety of projects,” said Didier, who is a third-year student with a double major in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Dance. “For example, we’re using cell-penetrating peptides, or CPPs, to deliver molecular cargos into the cell,” she said.
By delivering different molecules into the cells through the use of CPPs, there is great potential for altering environments within living cells for therapeutic and research purposes.
Didier, who is from Peachtree City and an Honors College student, presented her findings at her first NCUR this past spring.
“The only NCUR I have attended was the 2018 NCUR held in Oklahoma, but I do hope that this was just the first of many to come,” she said.
(ABOVE) Photo of Biology student, Hope Didier.
Q: What is your research area?
A: I conduct research in Molecular and Cellular Biology, under the mentorship of Associate Vice President for Research and Professor of Chemistry Jonathan McMurry and Julia LeCher, who is a postdoctoral research associate and part-time
assistant professor of cell biology. My lab focuses on a variety of projects. The
work I presented at NCUR 2018 involved the delivery of myoglobin to the mitochondria
of cells via a novel cell-penetrating peptide that was developed in the lab that I
work in. Using cell penetrating peptides or CPPs to deliver molecular cargos into
the cell holds great potential for altering environments within living cells for therapeutic
and research purposes.
Q: What and/or who has been your inspiration for your research? What interests you
the most?
A: When asked who has been my inspiration for my research, I think the person that I
want to be in the future is what continues to serve as my inspiration and drives me
to do the work that I do. If I keep striving to educate myself and grow and develop
my mind I will be able to help others do so in the future. The research process interests
me entirely. The fact that we as researchers can sometimes blindly approach a question
and with the knowledge that we do have, attempt to answer it, is challenging but so
fulfilling once you reach the conclusion and are able to share it with others.
Q: What motivated you to get involved with undergraduate research and NCUR?
A: My mentors, Dr. Jonathan McMurry and Dr. Julia LeCher were the ones that specifically
motivated me to present at NCUR; however, it was the connections that I made my freshman
year with other students in the President’s Emerging Global Scholar program that jump-started
my involvement in undergraduate research.
Q: What have you gained (or hope to gain) from your experience with NCUR?
A: After attending NCUR 2018, I gained an immense amount of humility and pride, as contrasting
as that sounds. Humility in the sense that there are so many intelligent young minds
all around the country that come together to support one another and support undergraduate
research and are excited to share what they have learned, and pride because I am so
incredibly proud to be a part of this generation of young scholars.
Q: What advice would you give to others about doing undergraduate research or participating
in NCUR?
A: A great deal of the work that I have done as an undergraduate is unheard of at other
universities. Kennesaw State University puts a large emphasis on supporting their
students in research endeavors. With that said, I would say if presented with the
opportunity to conduct undergraduate research, especially here at KSU, embrace it
with open arms. Being able to participate in research has been a highlight of my time
at KSU and although it can be challenging and difficult to juggle when combined with
a full class schedule, it is such an honor.
– Robert S. Godlewski
Photos by David Caselli
