ThisIsWhatAScientistLooksLike

#ThisIs WhatA Scientist Looks Like

Courtney McMahon

By Gabriela Maldonado

In early 2020, Ph.D. candidate Courtney McMahon’s research quickly adapted to study the neurological effects that a COVID-19 infection can have on a patient. McMahon works in the laboratory of Jenny Hsieh and originally intended to study how the influenza A virus affects fetal brain development, but when neurological symptoms started appearing in patients with COVID-19, she shifted her focus to the consequences of prenatal exposure to COVID-19 on the developing fetal brain. Much remains unknown about COVID-19, but McMahon is using her curiosity and interest in the human brain to answer as many questions as possible.

Originally from Millbrook, New York, McMahon finished her undergraduate career at Marist College in New York and then was commissioned into the U.S. Army Medical Reserve Corps. While in the Army, she took courses on biological warfare defense and worked in an inpatient psychiatric facility. McMahon attributes her interest in the human brain to the experiences she had while working at the inpatient facility. “I wanted to know why these disorders of the brain happened, how our current treatments work and how we could better treat these disorders in the future,” she said.

McMahon earned her master’s in biology from UTSA. She chose the Developmental and Regenerative Sciences Graduate Program (formally Cell and Molecular Biology) at UTSA because it allowed her to combine her passion for infectious diseases and the human brain. She loves that UTSA offers collaborative opportunities between laboratories not only within the university but also with local institutions. “Science needs these kinds of interdisciplinary relationships to succeed, and we’ve done an amazing job at making them happen,” she said. McMahon also appreciates the strides that UTSA has made to become a top research university, such as hiring word-class faculty to expand the university’s existing research.

McMahon emphasized how important it is for her to remain flexible and open minded as a scientist. “Being flexible and embracing some of the opportunities that appeared during my time as a Ph.D. student has shaped my research and my experience as a scientist for the better,” she said. McMahon is excited to continue working in Hsieh’s laboratory as well as contribute to the field of virology after graduation.

I wanted to know why these disorders of the brain happened, how our current treatments work and how we could better treat those disorders in the future.

Marissa Coppin

By Pelle Munoz

Marissa Coppin is a UTSA Top Scholar and undergraduate researcher pursuing a bachelor’s in neuroscience with a minor in business administration. A San Antonio native, she always had UTSA in her sights. The allure of a full-ride scholarship and an exceptionally close-knit community within the Honors College ultimately led her to enroll at UTSA in 2020. “I was able to explore all that UTSA has to offer in the areas of research and student involvement,” she said. “That made me want this campus to be my home.”

Coppin emphasized UTSA’s practicality and welcoming campus culture as what makes the university different from other institutions. “I like how the campus and classes are centralized, which makes it very easy to go from place to place, especially for first-year students,” she said. “Although I did apply to other prestigious universities, UTSA’s community could not be beat.”

Coppin began her academic career at UTSA as a biology major interested in eventually attending medical school or a Ph.D. program. The time she spent working with Jenny Hsieh, chair of the Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, in her neurobiology lab helped Coppin decide to pursue a Ph.D. “Since a Ph.D. requires specific knowledge, I wanted my education to be specific toward neuroscience,” she said. “I chose a business administration minor for a background that would allow me to work with science corporations and understand how the business is run beyond the science it is founded on.” Coppin noted that the instructors are what make her department most enjoyable and engaging. “I love how these classes are taught by people who have doctoral degrees in neuroscience and who have expertise in research, which also provides great networking opportunities,” she said.

Since starting at UTSA, Coppin has become involved on campus. The Top Scholar organization, a premier scholar program known for recruiting and retaining high-achieving students, helped Coppin prioritize her intellectual curiosity. During her first year, she achieved a leadership position in the Top Scholar Student Organization (TSSO), the Top Scholar program’s internal organization. She currently organizes initiatives to combat students’ stress, and she advocates for mental health support. Coppin is also involved with the San Antonio Clubhouse as part of the Millennium Fellowship, a peer-led mental health support nonprofit in San Antonio. “I have conducted health and wellness workshops with the members where I teach the link between nutrition and brain health while incorporating some neuroscience,” she said.

Recently, Coppin received first place in the undergraduate research showcase for her poster presentation “HDAC1 Regulates Neuronal Differentiation.” The project explored histone deacetylases (HDACs) ability to reduce gene expression by removing acetyl groups from histone proteins involved with DNA. The role of HDAC1, one of three genes referred to as HDACs, had been unclear before this study. Observing HDAC1 in either neuronal proliferation or differentiation has the potential to help treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Coppin completed the project in collaboration with postdoctoral fellows Vanesa Nieto-Estevez and Gopakumar Changarathil.

Coppin highlights the importance of facing challenges head-on and keeping a positive outlook, especially in the context of her program. “I think neuroscience is such a fascinating field with endless unanswered questions, and the field needs more inquisitive students to answer the meanings of life in the brain,” she said. “Although it’s a challenging program, with the right work ethic and mindset, success will follow.”

Coppin believes that support from the College of Sciences and the Top Scholar program has allowed her to create an enriching experience. “It is absolutely priceless in college to have instant support every step of the way,” she said. “I have been fortunate to be a part of this community.”

Courtney Smith

By Pelle Munoz

Courtney Smith’s fascination with how microbial pathogenesis, immunology and neurobiology intersect is what makes her feel that UTSA’s Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) Ph.D. program is the perfect fit for her.

“I strongly feel that the graduate studies at UTSA can provide me with the education and training needed to obtain and have a successful career in microbiology,” said Smith, a second-year doctoral researcher from Virginia. “UTSA is an institution that excels in producing highly skilled individuals in the methods of both science and education. For this reason, I have explored opportunities at UTSA.”

Smith also appreciates the range of opportunities, financial aid and academic assistance that UTSA offers its students. She admires that UTSA prioritizes student success.

One of Smith’s goals is to become a distinguished member of UTSA’s research enterprise.

“Entering the MMI program at UTSA will not only allow me to master these skills but will also allow me to work side-by-side with a faculty that cultivates the passion, dreams and minds of their students to form admirable researchers.”

Smith chose her program because of the opportunities for collaboration with faculty as well as access to state-of-the-art equipment. The program’s dedication to diversity and inclusion was an influencing factor in her decision.

Smith’s research experience at UTSA began in the lab of Jenny Hsieh, chair of UTSA’s Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology Department and director of the Brain Health Consortium. During Smith’s time in the lab, her duties included performing immunofluorescence of tissue cultures, imaging and data analysis with a focus on gene expression on correlation with epilepsy/seizure presentation. The aim of this research is to identify mechanisms that regulate neuronal renewal and cell fate.

After her completion of a six-month rotation in the Hsieh lab, Smith began research in the lab of Soo Chan Lee, an MMI professor whose research focuses on a wide range of fungi and potential threats to public health. “I joined Dr. Soo Chan Lee’s lab with the hope of furthering his research as well as learning novel techniques to bridge our knowledge gap in fungal infections of the nervous system.”

Currently, Smith is working on a collaborative project between the two labs. This project aims to determine the mechanism in which commensal fungi, such as Candida, infect the brain in an Alzheimer’s model. In the event that a mechanism is identified, it can be applied across different types of fungi and neurological disorders.

“Using a unique approach in identifying fungal pathology in neurological disorder models, we can enhance our understanding and highlight how fungal species can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathology and etiology,” she said.

During her time as a student, Smith received a memorable piece of advice from one of her biology professors: It is OK to fail, and one must be comfortable with that fact. “This has really stuck with me throughout my academic career and personal life,” Smith said. “I am not very good with change or when things do not go according to plan, so this is a daily challenge for me, but I know in my field there will be a lot of failings and shortcomings, so embracing the uncomfortable feeling is crucial to thrive.”

Smith encourages new and prospective students to take initiative and jump at the opportunities that present themselves, no matter how unrelated to the student’s major they may seem. She also stresses the importance of reaching out for help when needed and managing your time wisely.

Smith looks forward to continuing her education at UTSA. “I am excited about furthering my education in research and expanding my knowledge in biology,” she said. “I feel that UTSA’s world-class faculty will help me acquire the knowledge and experience that I need to accomplish my goal of developing expert research techniques and data analysis.”