University of Tulsa students Kinlie Gililland, Parker Green, Jaralynn Tammi Morellano and Christine Parrish have been selected for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, providing them with a unique chance to conduct research at another university in the United States or abroad.
NSF REU supports intensive research for undergraduate students in any area of research funded by the foundation. REU opportunities usually involve groups of about 10 students who work on research projects at one of more than 1,000 REU host institutions around the world. At each site, students work with faculty and other researchers, receiving mentorship and building their professional network.
“As I am planning to pursue a Ph.D. in addiction neuroscience/neuropharmacology upon graduation, the opportunity to gain practical experience in this field with the world-class Scripps faculty and facilities is one that I am beyond excited for,” said Gililland, a biochemistry junior.
She will spend this summer at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology in Jupiter, Florida. Her work will focus on characterizing a recently discovered G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), which is implicated in neurochemical processes of addiction.
“GPCRs are a kind of cellular receptor that is extremely important for initiating all sorts of signaling pathways, and certain GPCRs in neurons have been found to interact with other receptors (opioid receptors, in particular), which are thought to play a major role in addiction processes,” Gililland explained.
“I am so grateful for the chance to learn and grow in this amazing environment, and I am honored to get to take part in their research,” she concluded, adding “living three-and-a-half miles from the beach won’t hurt, either.”
Gililland was thankful for the faculty who prepared her for this opportunity, particularly Robert Sheaff, Maria Ironside and Katie Mika, as well as UTulsa Director of National Fellowships Terrie Shipley for walking her through the application process.
Among UTulsa’s other NSF REU recipients, Green (mechanical engineering and math senior) will research machine learning and materials discovery at Johns Hopkins University, Morellano (biological sciences junior) will study the molecular stress response to hydrostatic pressure in zebrafish at Washington State University, and Parrish (chemical engineering and Spanish junior) will explore materials science at the University of Delaware.
“Investigating genetics through a bioinformatics lens is something I have just recently become interested in within the past year or so. It beyond amazing that I have been given the opportunity to expand my skillset in the field using Washington State University’s facility and mentorship,” Morellano said.