MANSFIELD—When Lauren Griffith transferred to Mansfield midway
through her first year, she had no idea what opportunities would await her at
her new university. Now Griffith, a cell and molecular biology major, is one of
the 2022 recipients of the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant, and plans to use the
funds to continue her research on pancreatic cancer.
Being mentored by Mansfield faculty member Dr. Kristen
Long, associate professor of biology, Griffith’s research focuses on exploring
how curcumin, an experimental treatment for solid tumors, impacts the
inflammatory bacteria that are present in the gut.
“Last semester, using mice as a model, we collected feces,
cultured bacteria from the feces, and then treated the bacteria with different
concentrations of the curcumin treatment,” explained Griffith. “This semester
we plan to use a different systems-level approach, where we feed the mice
curcumin over a specific time span. We will analyze the sequences of the
different bacteria to determine shifts in bacterial populations.”
Griffith explained what the grant means in terms of her
own research project. “The grant allows me to expand upon my research. For
example, I could receive more mice for my experiments and an anaerobic chamber
to allow for complete analysis of all
bacteria we isolate and grow, since
we can only culture aerobic
bacteria right now.”
Beyond her own research on how curcumin treatment impacts
gut bacteria and tumor growth, Griffith spent the summer at the University of
Maryland in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (NIDDK) STEP-UP program helping with research concerning how various
technologies and software can be used to explore disease therapies. Griffith
studied how they affect triple negative breast cancer metastasis therapies. “I
was able to conduct independent research firsthand, which outside of my
research at Mansfield, was the first time I have done so,” said Griffith.
“I learned so much during my internship,” said Griffith.
“I learned about the graduate school experience and the different avenues of
research that I could take with my major in cell and molecular biology, what
independent research looks like at the graduate school level, how to prepare
for a scientific presentation, and the importance of networking in the
scientific field. For my own research, I learned more about the bioengineering
field and how similar it is to my own field.”
“Lauren is a wonderful
example of a student who has taken advantage of the opportunities presented to
her here at Mansfield,” said Bashar W. Hanna, president of Commonwealth
University. “Her passion for learning makes her a role model for all young
women in STEM.”
After graduation, Griffith plans to pursue her Ph.D. in
microbiology and immunology. She wants to build a brand to create awareness for
young women unaware of the different pathways within the scientific field. “Using
my graphic design minor, I want to use social media as a way of helping other
young women who want to pursue a career in STEM or the medical field. I want to
give advice, share my journey, and create a brand to provide an outlet for
those unaware of the pathways in the scientific field.”
Griffith has already started work on her brand, and
shares advice about college and her experience in the STEM field on her YouTube
channel: Lauren Kennedi.