Abrielle Swartz

"Navigating Science from High School Research to Ph.D. Studies"

“Abrielle Swartz ignited her passion for scientific inquiry in the Hudson Falls High School Science Research Program, where she began her scientific journey. Notably, her investigation into the effects of the Alzheimer’s disease-associated β-amyloid protein on the memory formation and regenerative abilities of planaria catalyzed her subsequent academic pursuits. Transitioning to her undergraduate studies, she joined the Estevez Lab at St. Lawrence University, where she received a B.S. in Biology and completed her senior thesis on preserving HT22 cell viability under oxidative stress as a model for ischemic stroke treatment. During this time, she also completed an internship in the Molecular Imaging Summer Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she worked in the Hadjantonakis Lab to analyze the correlation between gut tube volume and somite number in developing mouse embryos. Now a Ph.D. student in the Interdisciplinary Bioscience & Biotechnology program at Clarkson University, her research focuses on analyzing Delta-mediated cytoneme dynamics in the bristle cells of Drosophila melanogaster, aiming to unravel the intricate mechanisms governing cell-cell communication in developmental processes. Through reflections on her journey and insights gained, she hopes to offer advice to aspiring scientists, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and passion in scientific inquiry.”