Xie is now continuing her research with the Chicago Diabetes Project in the Microfluidics Lab, overseen by Professor David Eddington, PhD, where she is working to develop a microfluidic device that can affordably and effectively encapsulate single cells to bypass the immune response during transplantation. She has been invited to return as a leader of the summer internship program for summer 2017, during which she plans to integrate trips to other Chicago-based medical and engineering institutions also involved in diabetes research.
Meagan Ouy, a junior in bioengineering, collaborated with bioengineering core faculty member Tolou Shokuhfar, PhD. Professor Shokuhfar’s lab has developed a novel approach to visualize dynamic samples at high resolutions in their natural state using transmission electron microscopy and graphene liquid cells. Over the summer, Ouy worked on closely examining insulin granule exocytosis to determine why some insulin granules fail to secrete insulin in select diabetic patients. “Seeing something like insulin granules move at the nanoscale is mind-blowing,” Ouy said. “Learning a concept in a classroom is one thing, but to be able to use cutting-edge technology to discover the unknown is something else entirely.” The program resonates with UIC’s commitment to provide an excellent interdisciplinary education for its students. “I cannot express how grateful I am to have participated in this program”, said Sydney Hardeman, a junior studying bioengineering. Her project focused on how a certain gene impacts pancreatic insulin secretion. “I learned so much and met many remarkable people; but most importantly, this program allowed me to explore areas of science and academia that I had never even considered.” In particular, the unique nature of Dr. Oberholzer’s diabetes research strengthens research collaboration between clinical expertise and engineering expertise. “It’s really rewarding to know that it’s possible to do research so closely related to curing patients of a disease they thought incurable,” Xie said. “I was able to learn more about medicine while using the knowledge and skills I’ve built through the bioengineering curriculum.”
- Katherine Xie - Tran Scholarship recipient
Fall 2016 Newsletter
13