Allison Carl graduated in 2024 with a degree in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology. She is now pursuing her doctorate in molecular and cellular biology at Dartmouth College.
COLSA: Tell us about your undergraduate research in as non-technical language as possible.
Allison Carl: I was in Dr. Sherine Elsawa's lab from my sophomore year to my senior year. Over this time, I worked on two main projects. The first was to investigate how cancer cells proliferate under hypoxic conditions. The next project was looking at characterizing the immune cells of mice that lacked a crucial gene for development in their hematopoietic cells.
COLSA: What challenge/issue did your research seek to address?
Allison: My research wanted to question the role of Gli2 in T cell development and if the lack of Gli2 led to a skewing of one population of cells or another or if development was stunted at any point. From this question, we could understand better what influence Gli2 has on T cell development and if it is necessary for functional immune cell development.
COLSA: What did you learn as a result of this experience?
Allison: From my time in the Elsawa Lab, I learned a lot of techniques such as immunological techniques, how to design experiments, mouse colony management. I think most importantly I learned that I wanted to continue to ask immunologically relevant questions and pursue a PhD in immunology to do so.
COLSA: What do you love most about UNH?
Allison: I love the community of students at UNH. Everyone is so friendly, welcoming and involved in campus activities. I was fortunate to be a part of a couple of clubs as well as the Elsawa Lab, and all groups were so welcoming and supportive of my goals and passions.
COLSA: What are you doing now?
Allison: I am a first-year graduate student at Dartmouth College in the Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD program. I am currently doing research lab rotations in labs investigating T cell biology and how to increase their functionality to increase cancer survival.
