Hello! My name is
Nancy Morones and I am currently involved in the UCLA Summer Programs for
Undergraduate Research (SPUR). I have been busy at work in Dr. Karen Lyons
laboratory—under the direction of Dr. Jay Jiang—within the department of
Orthopaedics.
My project focuses on the CCN family of matricellular
proteins and their effect on articular cartilage and maintenance. These modular
proteins have been associated with having high integrin binding activity and
have an essential role in cell migration, adhesion and proliferation. In the case of chondrocytes, cells that form
cartilage and bone, CCN proteins such as Cys61 (CCN1) and Connective Tissue
Growth Factor (CCN2, CTGF) have been found to play a role in cell
differentiation in early stages of development for mice models. I plan to study
the localization of gene expression in CCN1 and CCN2 mice models at several
ages using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.
Being in the SPUR program has been very beneficial to my
future as a scientist. The program has several weekly workshops that have
informed me about the graduate school application process as well as MSTP
programs. I really enjoyed the panels run both by students and by professors.
As part of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans
in Science (SACNAS) Chapter here at UCLA, I was also able to present a bit
about my undergraduate research experience at an event hosted by the Outreach
Committee for Diversity in Science (OCDC) to community college students. As a transfer
student, was both an honor and privilege to share my experiences with other
students with similar goals.
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