Pharmaceutics Students Awarded Kuramoto & Skaggs Graduate Research Fellowships
We are thrilled to share that Molecular Pharmaceutics PhD students have been awarded by the College of Pharmacy for the 2024-2025 academic year! Lauren Naatz (Chen Lab) received the Kuramoto Graduate Research Fellowship, and Braxten Hornsby (Lim Lab), was awarded the Skaggs Graduate Research Fellowship.
The overarching goal of Lauren’s research is to develop novel immunotherapies to treat autoimmune diseases. Her current work involves the production and characterization of bispecific antibodies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). These bispecific antibodies are designed to deplete pathogenic cells of MS in a more controlled, precise, and ultimately safer manner than therapies currently used in the clinic.
Virtually all chronic myeloid leukemias (CML) and a subset of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) are caused by a chromosomal abnormality which yields the chimeric oncoprotein Bcr-Abl. Activation of Bcr-Abl occurs upon homodimerization of the Bcr-CC domain, presenting a therapeutic target for inhibition. In Braxten’s work, he has designed, computationally modeled, and synthesized Bcr-CC mutants meant to preferentially bind Bcr-CC and neutralize Bcr-Abl. These mutant constructs are enhanced by conjugation of a leukemia-specific targeting moiety and hydrocarbon staples to improve in vivo delivery, stability, and efficacy. These constructs aim to tackle translational challenges and act as novel dimerization inhibitors against Bcr-Abl for the treatment of CML and ALL.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and academic excellence that our students consistently demonstrate. Congratulations to Braxten and Lauren!