Tej D. Azad, M.D., M.S.

Physician Scientist Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

We developed a molecular blood test to identify and track acute spinal cord injury (SCI). This will allow for more rapid diagnosis and precise treatment of patients with SCI. This work was conducted with the guidance of Dr. Chetan Bettegowda and Dr. Nicholas Theodore.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

Mentorship has always been a key consideration for me. I wanted to train at an institution with surgeon-scientist role models who might serve as mentors.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

This award is a tremendous honor and represents early validation of our team-based approach to science. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

Excellent mentors, world-class teammates and a healthy serving of good luck.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Recognition of young scientists, and importantly, the critical importance of science, has never been more important. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

Doing an emergency surgery with my wife (Chao, plastic surgery chief resident) — working hand in hand to achieve an excellent surgical outcome for the patient is a memorable experience. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will be diving more deeply into this research while completing my clinical training, focusing on complex spinal surgery.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

Not sure how unique this is, but being a dog dad (to Artemis) and a real dad (to Rumi), while serving as neurosurgery chief resident this year is the most fulfilling set of experiences I could have imagined. 

Rachel J. Boyd, Ph.D.

The Mette Strand Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons, partly due to the toxic buildup and aggregation of the α-synuclein (SNCA) protein. Overproduction of SNCA is one of the greatest risk factors for Parkinson’s; therefore, reducing SNCA levels represents a promising therapeutic strategy.

In the McCallion lab, we discovered a genetic “switch” (or enhancer) that helps control SNCA levels in this vulnerable population of dopamine-producing neurons. When this switch is active, SNCA is produced at high levels, but when the enhancer element is removed, SNCA production is diminished. To test whether turning off this switch could be protective, we created mice in which this enhancer element was removed. These mice exhibited a reduction in SNCA levels and, as a result, were resistant to Parkinson’s-like motor symptoms and had healthier neurons with significantly less toxic protein buildup, inflammation and neurodegeneration.

Current therapeutic interventions for Parkinson’s mostly help manage disease symptoms, but don’t stop or slow neuron death. My findings suggest that targeting this genetic switch could slow or even stop disease progression, offering a potential gene therapy approach for Parkinson’s and other disorders linked to SNCA, such as dementia with Lewy bodies.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I have been passionate about the genetics of neurological diseases since my first undergraduate courses in genetics, psychology and neuroscience. As I began to explore research opportunities, I became particularly interested in how genetic variation influences neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. I wanted to study the genetics of human neurological disease in an environment that combined cutting-edge research, strong clinical integration and a legacy of discovery — making Johns Hopkins the clear choice.

When I applied to Johns Hopkins, Dr. David Valle was the director of both the Department of Genetic Medicine and the human genetics graduate program. As a respected leader in the field, his vision for genetic medicine as a bridge between research and clinical application deeply resonated with me. I knew that training at Johns Hopkins would provide not only world-class education and resources, but also a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to genetic medicine. This environment allowed me to develop expertise in both fundamental genetic research and its translational potential, equipping me with the tools to make meaningful contributions to the field.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving the Mette Strand Research Award is an incredible honor, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, this recognition reinforces the dedication and passion I’ve devoted to my research. It also serves as a timely reminder that my passion for scientific discovery and improving human lives is something worth fighting for. Throughout my training, I have been driven by a deep curiosity about how genetic regulation contributes to neurological disorders, and this award affirms the importance of this work.

Professionally, this award is a meaningful validation of my commitment to translational research. My work aims to bridge the gap between fundamental genetics and therapeutic innovation, and receiving this recognition strengthens my confidence in continuing down that path. It also motivates me to push further — to advocate for the development of novel, gene-targeted strategies that could one day alter the course of neurodegenerative diseases.

I am especially honored to receive an award named after Dr. Mette Strand, whose legacy embodies scientific excellence and mentorship. Her dedication to training the next generation of researchers is particularly inspiring, as mentorship has been a crucial part of my own development. Just as I have benefited from the guidance of exceptional scientists throughout my career, I hope to continue that tradition by providing support and mentorship to others. In that way, this award is not just a recognition of past work but also a call to contribute meaningfully to the future of science.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The technical support that I received was imperative to the success of this project. Dr. Stacie Loftus and Dr. Sarah McClymont were instrumental in the generation of the enhancer deletion mouse model. Dr. Yuma Kitase provided me with expert training in performing perfusions, dissections, cryosectioning and brain tissue staining techniques that were critical to establishing the mouse model used in my study. Dr. A Ra Kho provided experimental expertise in western blotting and brain tissue staining, and Dr. Chantelle Terrillion provided expert training in how to conduct mouse behavioral phenotyping, all of which were critical to evaluating the therapeutic impact of this enhancer deletion. 

I also received invaluable sponsorship from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, which provided salary support and enabled me to present my work at many meetings and conferences throughout my doctoral studies. This project also would not have been possible without the mentorship, guidance and resources of the members of my thesis committee: Dr. Jeremy Nathans, Dr. Dimitri Avramopoulos, Dr. Lauren Jantzie, Dr. Loyal Goff and Dr. Hanseok Ko.

Finally, I want to thank my supervisor, Dr. Andy McCallion, for nominating me for this award. His guidance throughout my doctoral studies, as well as his dedication to my growth as a trainee and a research scientist have been instrumental in shaping both my research and professional accomplishments. He provided me with an environment where I was encouraged to ask questions and make mistakes, and he gave me the independence and trust to make my own decisions, pursue additional projects and maintain a fulfilling life outside of work.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day represents a celebration of the contributions that students and fellows make to the research community at Johns Hopkins. It highlights the essential role that trainees play in advancing scientific discovery and reinforces the value of collaboration and innovation. Research is a collective effort, and this event not only recognizes individual achievements, but also fosters a sense of community among early-career scientists. It’s inspiring to see the breadth of groundbreaking work being done across Johns Hopkins, and I’m grateful to be part of an institution that prioritizes, promotes and celebrates early-career scientists. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

Undoubtedly, the highlight of my time at Johns Hopkins was hosting Dr. Francis Collins at the 19th annual Barton Childs Lecture this past year. Dr. Collins is an icon in the field of genetics, and someone I profoundly respect. Having the opportunity to introduce him, engage in discussions about his career and scientific contributions, and learn from his insights was an incredible honor. His ability to connect groundbreaking discoveries with public engagement and policy has inspired my own career trajectory, and this experience reinforced my passion for scientific communication and leadership. The event was a full-circle moment — connecting my research journey with the broader legacy of genetics and its impact on human health. Hosting Dr. Collins felt like a storybook ending to my time in the Human Genetics graduate program and will likely remain one of the highlights of my career.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Now that I have completed my Ph.D., I am exploring opportunities that align with my expertise in genetics and neurodegeneration, whether through faculty or research associate positions, or by applying my passion for science strategy and policy within government or nonprofit organizations. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the global research landscape and promote the health and well-being of people around the world, whether through advancing scientific discovery or shaping policies that support innovation and health research.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I think one unique thing about me is that I’m ambidextrous; another is that I used to be a competitive figure skater.I was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, which fostered my love for adventures and the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, camping or traveling, I’m always looking for new experiences and places to explore. One of my favorite adventures was a 10-day hiking trip through Mont Blanc in the Swiss/French/Italian Alps. My love for travel also inspires my cooking — I enjoy recreating dishes from around the world and discovering new recipes along the way. During a typical week, you’ll find me playing beach volleyball at Baltimore Beach, doing Pilates or passionately cheering on the Vancouver Canucks.

Daniel Bruhm

The Claude and Barbara Migeon Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

The high mortality rate associated with cancer is, in part, due to diagnosis at late-stage disease. Unfortunately, there are currently no available screening tests for most cancer types. For those with screening modalities, several challenges have emerged, such as false positives and negatives and low adherence. In healthy individuals, DNA is released in the blood, which we refer to as cell-free DNA. When an individual has cancer, tumor cells also release cell-free DNA into the blood, termed circulating tumor DNA, providing a potential blood-based avenue for early cancer detection. To this end, I developed a prototype blood test for screening for multiple cancer types that requires a single tube of blood. The approach uses cost-efficient sequencing of cell-free DNA and machine learning of mutation frequencies across the genome to predict whether an individual has cancer. As a proof-of-concept demonstration of the approach, we detected cancers of the lung, liver, skin and white blood cells. This work was done in the Cancer Genomics Lab and was jointly supervised by Victor Velculescu and Rob Scharpf.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

Initially, I was attracted to Johns Hopkins by the work being done in the Cancer Genomics Lab. After undergrad, I had the privilege of joining the lab as a research technologist for several years. Because of the cutting-edge liquid biopsy research being done by the group, the rigorous training opportunities provided by the Human Genetics and Genomics program, and the culture that Hopkins has fostered, I stayed on for my graduate work.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving the Claude and Barbara Migeon Research Award is a great honor. While I never met Claude, Barbara founded and was actively involved in the Human Genetics graduate program that I belong to. Her lifelong dedication to genetics is inspiring. Receiving this award after years of dedicated work has validated my efforts and encouraged me to continue pursuing challenging problems.  

What contributed to your project’s success? 

My mentors for this project, Victor Velculescu and Rob Scharpf, tackle challenging problems, are persistent and dedicated, and foster exceptionally high-quality work. Working alongside them has taught me the value of rigorous research and gave me the tools to spearhead this project. Having extensive prior computational experience enabled me to focus more on the question at hand rather than learning the experimental techniques.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Research can be as challenging as it is rewarding, especially for those of us who are just getting started. By taking the time to celebrate some of the many achievements of students and fellows, Johns Hopkins is not only acknowledging our contributions but encouraging us to produce high-quality work.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

The people I’ve met here will be what I remember most about my time at Johns Hopkins. Whether we’re discussing research, playing music or meeting in Patterson Park, the community around me has been fun, supportive and down to earth.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Finishing up my Ph.D. and transitioning to a postdoc, where I will continue my research. Cancer hasn’t been cured yet!

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I’m a pretty stereotypical Canadian. Growing up, I helped make maple syrup and worked as a lumberjack for my family’s sawmill. I’m also the first from my family to graduate from university.

Minhyeok Chang, Ph.D.

The Paul Ehrlich Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

It has been known that some cells can communicate by exchanging materials through tiny bridge-like nanotubes, but whether neurons use such connections in the brain remained unknown. In this study, conducted in the lab of Dr. Hyungbae Kwon in the Department of Neuroscience, I discovered a new type of neuronal connection called dendritic nanotubes (DNTs), which form direct links between dendrites. Using advanced imaging and machine-learning analysis, we identified DNTs in mouse brains and found that they transport calcium and small molecules, including amyloid-beta (Aβ), a key protein in Alzheimer’s disease. Remarkably, DNT levels increased before amyloid plaques appeared in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s, with computational simulations supporting their role in early neurodegeneration. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized neuronal communication network in the brain, providing new insights into how neurons interact beyond synapses and potentially opening avenues for understanding and treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I knew that Johns Hopkins was the best place to collaborate with leading neuroscientists and pursue this ambitious project. This study would not have been possible without the incredible researchers here who generously shared their ideas, resources and time. But most importantly, Hyungbae was here. When others dismissed this idea as too challenging, he was the only one who saw its potential and has supported me unwaveringly to this day —I would like to express my deep appreciation for that once again.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

This award represents a major milestone in my transition from biophysics to neuroscience as a postdoctoral researcher. After years of challenges, it feels like a recognition of my journey as an interdisciplinary scientist. It is especially meaningful to receive an award named after Paul Ehrlich, who began his research career in bioimaging—just as I did— and made a major shift to immunology at an age similar to mine when I did, where he made groundbreaking accomplishments.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

My physics background was instrumental in designing my own microscope, developing novel experimental approaches, and performing computational modeling and simulations. However, I believe the key to my success was actually being an outsider to neuroscience. When I started this project, dendritic filopodia were primarily studied in the context of synapse formation, and there was no prior research exploring their role in nonsynaptic communication. Since I had never been formally trained in neuroscience, I was able to approach the problem with a fresh perspective—what some might call a “silly” but ultimately unique way of thinking.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Research often requires years of effort before yielding tangible results, and it is easy to lose motivation along the way—especially for trainees in an increasingly competitive environment. Young Investigators’ Day serves as a meaningful reminder of the value of our work and provides an opportunity to celebrate our contributions. It helps us reconnect with our passion for discovery and renew our commitment to the pursuit of truth.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

I have so many great memories with colleagues and friends at Johns Hopkins, but if I had to choose, my most cherished experiences would be… absolutely all the free lunches I had with them at various OneNeuro seminars!

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I am currently preparing to establish my own independent research lab, focusing on nonsynaptic communication networks involving neurons and glia in the brain. Fingers crossed for all of us in the job market!

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

Lately, I’ve been sharing my love of classic movies with my sons. Every weekend, we have a carefully curated family movie night featuring films I enjoyed years ago. So far, we’ve completed Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Goonies, Jurassic Park (and Jurassic World) and the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings. Unsurprisingly, our least favorites were the Star Wars sequel trilogy. I’m deeply grateful to my lovely wife and sons for all the serotonin-flourishing moments we’ve shared together.

Kevin Chen

THE MICHAEL SHANOFF RESEARCH AWARD

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Endosomal ion homeostasis is critical for the proper function of many cells, including neurons of the central nervous system. While many neurological disorders are linked to defects in endolysosomal processing, many molecular mechanisms are still enigmatic. In Dr. Zhaozhu Qiu’s lab, I studied the proton-activated chloride (PAC) channel and its role in synaptic plasticity, which is thought to be the molecular basis of learning and memory. We discovered that PAC contributes to synaptic long-term depression (LTD), a form of plasticity that weakens synaptic connections and is important for animal physiology and behavior. This research provides evidence for a previously unexplored mechanism for synaptic plasticity along with novel approaches to study LTD.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

Johns Hopkins is a top research institution with experts in broad scientific fields. It also provides a uniquely collegial research environment that I could see myself thriving in.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am aware of the former awardees of the Michael Shanoff Research Award, and I am humbled to be among the recipients.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

I have to thank the unparalleled research community at Johns Hopkins for the success of my project. My research mentors, Drs. Rajini Rao, Richard Huganir, Seth Margolis, Shigeki Watanabe and Zhaozhu Qiu, provided crucial guidance, support and access to specific techniques that made the project successful.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is an excellent way to recognize the achievements and hard work of trainees, who are often less recognized despite their direct work on the frontiers of scientific research.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

I once presented a research poster at the Society for Neuroscience conference. I was really surprised with how many people stopped by my poster and the high-quality discussions I had with other scientists from around the world. It made me appreciate that science is a collective endeavor, and that there are so many talented researchers everywhere. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will be graduating in May 2025 and will be pursuing additional research positions.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I enjoy practicing wushu at Goh’s Kung Fu in Baltimore. While completing my Ph.D. thesis, I also earned a black sash at the school and competed in several wushu competitions. It’s great exercise, and I love the people I practice with!

Joseph Choi

THE DAVID ISRAEL MACHT RESEARCH AWARD

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation is facilitated by the combined activities of Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1 (Cpt1) and Cpt2, which generate and utilize acylcarnitines, respectively. We compared the response of mice with liver-specific deficiencies in the liver-enriched Cpt1a or the ubiquitously expressed Cpt2 and discovered that they display unique metabolic, physiological and molecular phenotypes. The loss of Cpt1a or Cpt2 results in the induction of the muscle-enriched isoenzyme Cpt1b in hepatocytes in a Ppara-dependent manner. However, hepatic Cpt1b does not contribute substantively to hepatic fatty acid oxidation when Cpt1a is absent. Both the liver-specific double knockout of Cpt1a and Cpt1b, or Cpt2 eliminates the mitochondrial oxidation of nonesterified fatty acids. However, Cpt1a/Cpt1b double-knockout mice retain fatty acid oxidation by utilizing extracellular long-chain acylcarnitines that are dependent on Cpt2. These data demonstrate the noncell-autonomous intercellular metabolism of fatty acids in hepatocytes. Much of the work done targeting mitochondrial β-oxidation targets Cpt1, but this work shows that there are other metabolites that can feed into the same long-chain fatty acid metabolism. This work was done in Dr. Michael Wolfgang’s lab. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I began working at Johns Hopkins during my undergraduate studies at UMBC, and was fortunate to have met a graduate student who was in the Wolfgang lab at the time. The research that is done at Johns Hopkins is on the cutting edge of science, driving forward incredibly important findings to understand the world we live in. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am honored to receive the David Israel Macht Research award. This recognizes the research contribution of the work I’ve done while in the lab of Dr. Michael Wolfgang. One of the graduate students who mentored me when I was here as an undergraduate received the same award. Knowing the outstanding contributions of that student, it is an honor to receive the same award. Professionally, this award motivates me to continue the pursuit of good research and to not underestimate basic biological pathways in the discovery of new biology. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The incredibly stringent genetic models that this project utilizes was one of the keys to the success of this work. There will never be a perfect model in science — the pathways and interactions are too complex. However, by asking the right questions and utilizing multiple models to understand the results, we can get closer and closer to a complete understanding. The guidance and insights of lab members and my mentor, Dr. Michael Wolfgang, were the other keys to the success of this project. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day allows for a small window into the incredible amounts and quality of research that is done at Johns Hopkins. Both students and fellows are incredibly hard-working and passionate about the work they do. Young Investigators’ Day allows for a showcase and celebration of all that hard work. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My time in the Wolfgang lab is the best and most memorable experience that I’ve had while at Johns Hopkins. During my time here, I’ve been mentored by and worked with some of the most incredible scientists and learned an incredible amount. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will be graduating in the May 2025 school of medicine convocation, and will be working at the National Cancer Institute as a postdoctoral fellow. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

Outside of the lab, I like to cook!

Emily A. DeBoy

The Paul Talalay Research Award 

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Our study defines a novel germline cancer predisposition syndrome, the long telomere syndrome, with a mechanism distinct from traditional classifications of tumor suppressors and oncogenes. We found that individuals with heterozygous loss-of-function variants in POT1, which encodes telomere binding protein POT1, had extremely long telomere length and a pan-tissue risk for clonality and malignancy. Typically, telomere shortening with cell division acts as a type of tumor suppressor, limiting the expansion of clones with advantageous mutations. However, individuals with germline telomere lengthening variants have a capacity to support the expansion of these clones, allowing increased numbers of somatic mutations to be acquired with a standard mutational rate, thus leading to increased risk for neoplasia. This offers insight into an extensive literature of population-level association of telomere length with clonality and malignancy. It also provides a cautionary tale against the manipulation of telomere length in pursuit of the extension of human lifespan. This work was done in the lab of Dr. Mary Armanios.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose to come to Johns Hopkins for many reasons, but above all, it was the people. So many of the roadblocks I’ve encountered in my work have been solved through spontaneous conversations with classmates, neighboring labs, incredible core facilities and faculty willing to chat after class.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I’m honored by the recognition of this work and all of the effort that went into it. Especially at this transition point in my training, this feels like a capstone of my research accomplishments so far. I’m particularly honored to be receiving this award because Paul Talalay founded the M.D./Ph.D. training program at Johns Hopkins.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

So many factors came together to make this project a success, but specifically I would like to credit the patients and families involved in the study. Our group was incredibly fortunate to have been approached by one of the families featured in this work with questions about the variant they carry and a desire to participate in research studies to understand more. Without their and the other participants’ initiative, openness and generosity with their time, this study would not have been possible.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I think Young Investigators’ Day is a wonderful celebration of the contributions that trainees make to research at Johns Hopkins. I’m grateful to be part of a community that values and invests in the growth of its young investigators.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

It’s hard to choose after eight years of medical/graduate school, but one that comes to mind in relation to this project was when I encountered a patient with a possible telomere syndrome on my clinical genetics rotation. At this point, in my third year of medical school, I had finally reacclimated to clinical medicine but still felt like I was playing catch-up and always had more to learn. But when I met this patient, I immediately recognized the features and patterns we discussed so often in lab. It was the first time I ever felt like an expert in the hospital, and I was humbled to have the opportunity to use that knowledge to help a patient. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I’m excited to be staying at Johns Hopkins for my residency in pediatrics/medical genetics. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I’m an avid baker, and apply the same exacting standards that I use in the lab to make all sorts of pastries, cakes, pies, bread and more for my family and friends.

Frances Diehl, Ph.D.

The Daniel Nathans Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

I did this research in the Green lab, where we study ribosomes, the molecular machines that carry out protein synthesis. Cells regulate ribosome levels to support robust protein synthesis in favorable conditions and preserve resources in stress conditions. Mammalian cells degrade intact ribosomes in response to stress, but the mechanisms have been unclear. We found that during amino acid starvation, 40S ribosomal subunits are marked with ubiquitin on specific ribosomal proteins. The atypical kinase RIOK3 then specifically binds these ubiquitylated 40S ribosomes and induces their degradation by triggering decay of their ribosomal RNA. Together, our work describes a pathway that regulates ribosome levels during stress by connecting ribosome ubiquitylation to downstream degradation of the ribosomal RNA itself.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

When I was looking at labs for my postdoc, it was clear to me that the people at Hopkins were excited both about their own work and about their colleagues’ work. The people here bring a wide range of expertise together, creating a supportive and engaging environment for doing science.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am honored to receive this award and grateful for the mentors and peers who have helped my scientific development. This award is named for Daniel Nathans, who was the director of the same department my lab is in and whose pioneering work on restriction enzymes remains fundamental to every molecular biologist today and is directly applied to so many projects, including my own. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The creativity and insights from all the members of the Green lab, as well as guidance from my mentor and our department, have been essential to this project. This project has benefited tremendously from a collaboration with our colleagues in the lab of Dr. Jingdong Cheng at Fudan University. Their cryo-EM and biochemical work was critical to this project’s success; it was great to work with them and always fun to talk through our results on Zoom meetings spanning our 12-hour time difference. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is an important opportunity for trainees to share their work with the Hopkins community. Students and fellows are indispensable for driving research at every institution, and this program is a great way to recognize the impact their work makes.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

Some of my best memories here are from spending time with labmates, from dancing at our lab’s 25th anniversary celebration to game nights that get slightly too competitive. It is a joy to spend time with them both in and out of lab! 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I plan to follow up on the exciting new directions of our work while I plan for the next steps of my career.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I enjoy being active and getting outside, especially running and exploring local parks in Baltimore and D.C. I’m also learning woodworking — I’ve only made small things like picture frames so far, but I hope to one day be able to make furniture. 

Chuanyu Guo, Ph.D.

The Claude and Barbara Migeon Research Award 

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss among working-age people in the developed world. Currently, optimizing glucose management is the cornerstone for preventing diabetic eye disease. However, tight control of serum glucose concentration (TGC) has been associated with an early, paradoxical worsening of DR. Until recently, why TGC promotes an early worsening of DR has not been fully understood. One of the challenges of TGC is preventing hyperglycemic episodes without promoting increased episodes of hypoglycemia. We therefore proposed examining how the neurosensory retina responds to acute episodes of hypoglycemia, and how these responses may contribute to the development and/or progression of diabetic eye disease. In several cell-based, ex vivo and animal models, we observed that transient episodes of hypoglycemia resulted in HIF-1α accumulation and HIF-1-dependent expression of angiogenic genes. In mice diabetic for as early as three months, prior to overt microvascular injury, hypoglycemia accelerated a synergistic increase in the accumulation of HIF-1α and the expression of HIF-regulated angiogenic factors. This, in turn, was sufficient in diabetic mice — but not control mice — to promote breakdown of the inner blood-retinal barrier (iBRB) and increased vascular permeability. Collectively, these observations help explain why patients with diabetes-initiating TGC have worsening of their DR. While TGC remains essential for preventing microvascular injury in patients with diabetes, our findings suggest that this should not be achieved at the expense of transient episodes of hypoglycemia. My whole work was conducted in Dr. Sodhi’s lab.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

Before I joined Johns Hopkins, I worked in retinal development research for several years, and I would like to transfer to studying mammalian models of human retinal disease. The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine is excellent in both basic and clinical research on human eye disease. After talking with Dr. Sodhi, I was impressed by his intelligence, and I was sure that I would get a great opportunity for my postdoc training here. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving the Claude and Barbara Migeon Award is a great honor to me. This award is a recognition for my research and will motivate me to pursue my career goal in retinal diseases research. This award was established to honor the contributions of Claude Migeon and Barbara Migeon as both scientists and mentors. Their dedication to science will inspire me to move forward on the road of scientific research.

What contributed to your project’s success?

First, I’m grateful to my mentor, Dr. Sodhi, for giving me the opportunity to be trained in his lab. In his lab, he inspired me to propose a hypothesis and supported me to explore the hypothesis. Second, the training I received in previous labs prepared me with technical skills to conduct experiments smoothly. Third, our collaborators helped us to confirm our results in different models.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day provides a great opportunity for young investigators to share their research results and exchange ideas. This is also a chance to recognize the contributions of young investigators.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most memorable experience at Johns Hopkins was that I got inspiration and inspired others when I discussed projects with my mentor and colleagues.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Applying for NIH grants and looking for a faculty position.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I like running. I finished two full marathons; one was in Baltimore last year. Running relaxes me and clears my mind. Many of my inspirations come when I am running. 

Jacqueline Griswold, Ph.D.

The Mette Strand Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research? 

I discovered that a specialized branch of the neuron has a different shape than has been assumed for the past 120 years. Rather than looking like a small tube, the small neuron branch called the axon looks like a pearl necklace. I found that this shape easily and dynamically adapts to signals, such as those commonly associated with forming new memories. This shape has been overlooked because many parts of neurons are so small that they cannot be studied under traditional microscopes, so in the Watanabe Lab, I used a special technique to zoom in further using electron microscopy. With this new understanding of neuron branch shape, we can better study how our brain and nervous system function in our everyday lives. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

At Johns Hopkins, I knew I would have access to the best techniques and training in my journey to become a research professor. With access to these things, I knew I could obtain a broad skill set and confidence in my identity as a scientist.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful to be awarded the Mette Strand Research Award, as it affirms that I belong to this research community. This award further affirms how my training has prepared me to succeed in biological research and signifies that I have contributed impactful research to the scientific community. I greatly admire Dr. Mette Strand’s use of basic molecular biology to drive discoveries that continue to impact medical care, and it is an honor to be associated with that spirit of scientific advancement.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

There were so many things that contributed to my project’s success that it would be impossible to list them all. Some of the major ones are the amazing mentorship of Dr. Watanabe, who gave me the perfect balance of guidance and freedom without ever once making me feel like a failure, even when an experiment failed to turn out as expected. My entire lab is a supportive community, and everyone contributed both their time and resources to my project’s success. This project also succeeded because of the very specialized techniques I had access to. Our electron microscopy core facility and our super-resolution core facilities are how I made these discoveries, and I could not have done any of it without the tools and the folks who make it possible. I also think my genuine love for understanding the complex and nuanced molecular underpinnings of creation has driven this project, even though most of it went against established neuroscience assumptions. Finally, this project definitely could not have succeeded without the emotional support of both my biological and spiritual family. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is an amazing event because it celebrates the achievements of trainees. At Johns Hopkins, I think trainees can feel daunted by the weight of all of the accomplishments of the prestigious faculty around us. By having this celebration of trainee achievement, I think Young Investigators’ Day reminds all of us who are trainees that we are making important scientific contributions, and that our work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most memorable experience has been that of being a mentor. I have had the opportunity to train so many amazing scientists! It has taught me that collaborative research is so much more fun and impactful than research in an isolated environment. Being a mentor at Johns Hopkins is an experience I will never forget. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Now, I am looking forward to the next stage of my development as an independent scientist, the postdoctoral position. I am trying to determine what technical and professional skills I need to gain to be an independent research faculty member and where I will go next to achieve these goals. I think the hardest part is narrowing down the topics I want to study since there are so many questions in cellular neurobiology that need to be explored!

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I think my nontraditional education background is one of the most interesting aspects of my journey. I was homeschooled throughout middle and high school, which taught me how to independently motivate myself and enhanced my confidence in my ability to learn anything. After high school, I attended community college because a traditional university was far too expensive for me and my family. The experience of working fulltime and being a full-time student really prepared me for life as a scientist where both hard work and intense studying are required. I finally made it to a university where my previous experience really focused my studies and where I discovered biological research. This newfound career goal led me to graduate school, where I have learned to embrace my nontraditional education path that brought me here and learned to value the diversity of experience that brings all of us into science.  

Arisa Ikeda Ph.D.

The Helen B. Taussig Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

In Dr. Hiromi Sesaki’s lab, I study how mitochondrial fission and fusion are essential to animal physiology. We discovered that the synergy between two stress-responsive systems — the ubiquitin E3 ligase Parkin and the metalloprotease OMA1—safeguards mitochondrial structure and genome by regulating mitochondrial fusion. Whereas the individual loss of Parkin or OMA1 does not affect mitochondrial integrity, their combined loss results in small body size, low locomotor activity, premature death, mitochondrial abnormalities and innate immune responses. These findings account for previous puzzling reports that the individual loss of Parkin–PINK1, whose defects are known to cause Parkinson’s disease, shows minimal mitochondrial phenotypes in mice.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because I am interested in elucidating the role of organelle membrane dynamics regulation using a mouse reverse genetics approach, and the Sesaki lab is the best place to do this research. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am truly honored to receive this award, and I believe that this award will help me in my future career. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

Guidance from my mentors, Hiromi Sesaki and Miho Iijima, and support from my labmates were essential to the success of my project.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

We face many challenges in doing research and building our careers, but this award encourages us to overcome them. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

I was very impressed with the collaborative environment across various departments within Johns Hopkins, which expanded my research possibilities. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I am planning to wrap up my current project and publish a paper, then look for a faculty position in the near future. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

Justin Huang, M.S.

The Paul Ehrlich Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Immunotherapy (IO) has made great strides in combating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but patients with tumors that elicit weak immune responses (“immunogenically cold”) often derive little benefit from IO. We investigated the hypothesis that radiation followed by immunotherapy would stimulate greater systemic immune responses than immunotherapy alone in patients with immunogenically cold metastatic NSCLC. By studying pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsies from non-irradiated sites and peripheral blood samples, we confirmed this hypothesis. The increased systemic immune upregulation observed in patients receiving radio-immunotherapy also correlated with improved clinical response. This suggests that radio-immunotherapy is a promising avenue of treatment for these patients, and that clinical trials should investigate the use of pre-IO radiation in patients with immunogenically cold NSCLC. This research was performed in the lab of Dr. ValsamoAnagnostou.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

Johns Hopkins has many opportunities to pursue translational research employing bioinformatic and traditional basic science analyses, particularly in the realm of oncology. Prior to starting medical school, this was the exact type of research I hoped to pursue.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

With my research background in oncology, it is an honor to receive an award in the name of Dr. Paul Ehrlich, a pioneer in chemotherapy. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and honored to be part of a group of scholars seeking to push the frontier of biomedical research.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

I am immensely grateful for the help from so many members of our lab group in contributing to this project’s success. The support I received from my mentor (Dr. Anagnostou) and many collaborators (WillemijnTheelen, Zineb Belcaid, Mimi Najjar, Daphne van der Geest, Dipika Singh, Christopher Cherry, Archana Balan, James White, Jaime Wehr, NoushinNiknafs and many others) was invaluable. They taught me the value of combining expertise from biology, bioinformatics and clinical medicine to discover knowledge that may shape the future of clinical practice.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I am extremely excited for the day itself! It will be fascinating to learn about the research conducted by other passionate researchers at Johns Hopkins. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

Singing acappella music with the Synaptic Clefs!

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will be attending internal medicine residency at UCSF.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I love to sing and beatbox, and I co-founded the medical community’s a cappella group (The Synaptic Clefs) in 2021.

Qiang Jiang, Ph.D.

The Mohammed Repon Khan Memorial Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

The mechanotransduction (MET) channel in the hair cells can convert sound-induced vibration into electrical signal, and dysfunction of this MET channel will cause hearing loss. This MET channel is a large molecular machinery that contains potential pore subunit proteins, such as TMC1 and TMIE. The mechanisms by which these proteins are regulated by mechanical forces remain unclear. This ion channel complex is expressed throughout the animal kingdom, ranging from invertebrates to vertebrates, and it has fundamental roles in the perception of not only sound but also other mechanical signals, such as those provided by food texture or touch. Unfortunately, all efforts have so far failed to determine the structure of the mammalian ion channel complex at atomic resolution. However, the structure of this ion channel complex from C. elegans has been solved and provides a blueprint to study the mammalian channel complex. 

Studies in C. elegans suggest that nematode TMC proteins are components of several ion channel complexes (the mechanosensitive ion channel, alkaline pH-activated channel and Na+-leak channel) with distinct functions. The mechanisms by which nematode TMCs contribute to such diverse physiological processes and their functional relationship to mammalian mTMCs is unclear. We show that association with accessory proteins tunes nematode TMC-1 to divergent sensory functions. In addition, different protein domains in nematode TMC-1 are required for different sensory modalities, and these protein domains have been segregated during evolution in mammalian TMC proteins into distinct proteins. Our findings demonstrate that sequence diversification and association with accessory proteins has led to the emergence of TMC protein complexes with diverse properties and physiological functions. This work was done in Dr. Ulrich Mueller’s lab. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is one of the best institutions for both basic and clinical research, with a strong reputation for groundbreaking discoveries and a history of medical innovation. Here, I have the opportunity to work with many talented and outstanding scientists from different backgrounds. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the Mohammed Repon Khan Memorial Research Award. Receiving this award inspires me to continue pursuing my research, and I hope to contribute to human health in the future. Dr. Repon is a great scientist who made major discoveries regarding the role of the Drosophila RNA binding protein Orb2 in long-term memory and the role of toxic a-synuclein protein aggregates in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. I will inherit his passion and pursuit of scientific research.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The success of my project depends largely on the smart and visionary guidance of my mentor, Dr. Ulrich Mueller, and the sincere collaboration with Dr. Kang’s laboratory. I am very grateful for the hard work of my collaborators and the good suggestions from other members in the lab. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is a valuable platform for students and fellows to share their research work and interact with researchers from different backgrounds, and it helps to motivate young researchers to go further in their research careers.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

The best experience at Johns Hopkins is that I can freely and respectfully discuss various scientific issues with my mentors and colleagues without worrying about my naive ideas being weak or ridiculous.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will first complete my current project as soon as possible, and then apply for a faculty position to continue my academic career.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I like various sports and reading novels. 

Ruchita Kothari

Martin and Carol MachtResearch Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen delivery to the brain due to blood vessel blockage, leading to neuronal death and long-term disability. Current lifesaving therapies focus on restoring blood to the brain; however, they do not address the consequence of brain injury in stroke. Specifically, brain inflammation following ischemic stroke is known to exacerbate neuronal injury and long-term functional outcomes. Early infiltration of immune cells into the brain after ischemia is correlated with increased risk of subsequent stroke, post-stroke depression and higher three-month mortality rates in stroke patients. Despite decades of awareness of neurogenic inflammation in stroke, clear inciting events in this inflammatory cascade remain unclear, preventing the development of successful therapeutic interventions.

This study sought to identify inciting events that drive brain inflammation after stroke. We show that a mast cell receptor is activated early after stroke injury and mediates immune cell infiltration into the brain. Collectively, our study identifies the Mrgprb2 mast cell receptor as a critical meningeal gatekeeper for immune cell migration from bone marrow reservoirs into the brain, and it provides a specific and druggable target to attenuate post-stroke brain inflammation.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins for my clinical and scientific training because of the exceptional faculty andstudents within the Hopkins community. I find that the students here are not only incredibly curious and passionate about their science, but also happy and enthusiastic about Hopkins and Baltimore. It was clear that being here for training would push me to match the caliber of the students I met with and to also focus on leading a happy life during graduate training. The Hopkins community is truly one of a kind, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am honored to be receiving the Martin & Carol Macht Award. I have known and been inspired by several of the previous recipients of this award, and am honored to be considered among them. I hope to continue to push science forward as these previous awardees continue to do in their successful careers. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

I have been lucky to have had immense support and mentorship throughout my time at Hopkins. I attribute the success of this project to those who have taught me how to think critically and creatively in science. My journey in science began with my mentors Chirag Vasavda and Solomon Snyder, and now continues with the guidance of Xinzhong Dong, Risheng Xu and my thesis committee: Michael Caterina, Luiz Garza, Michael Kornberg and Alan Scott. I feel incredibly grateful to learn from these giants in science and medicine, and to have the opportunity to decipher small but hopefully significant questions in science alongside them.

One of my mentors once told me that those who earn a Ph.D. earn a Doctor of Philosophy, and that the purpose of graduate training is not just to answer scientific questions, but to develop a philosophy of how we approach science from different approaches and angles. I’ve tried to keep this in mind throughout my Ph.D., and I know that I will keep adjusting and updating my philosophy of science as I continue in my career. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Graduate school training can be both fulfilling and sometimes grueling. Even though we are taught that failure is a major, and even crucial, aspect of science, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture all the time. Celebrating our achievements as students and trainees via the Young Investigators’ Day program is an important way that we can be reminded that the work we do is important and has impact. It is always exciting to see colleagues across departments, working on a large breadth of science, come together to support each other and celebrate the work they have been doing for the past several years. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

While there have been many memorable moments both inside and outside of the lab, one of my favorite moments was our lab white-water rafting trip. It was a great time for us all to connect outside of science and really kickstarted the collaborative and light-hearted atmosphere we have in our lab today. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I hope to complete my Ph.D. within the year and return to the medical school portion of my training. I have had such a fulfilling and inspiring experience in the lab pursuing science and am excited to remind myself back on the wards of how we as M.D./Ph.D.s can be critical in the clinical environment, to push science forward for our patients. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

Outside of science, I am, like most graduate students, an avid rock climber. I also love dancing and have grown close to the social dancing community in Baltimore through salsa and bachata events.

Nicholas Keith

The Bae Gyo Jung Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

In the lab of Joshua Modell, I study the adaptive immune systems of bacteria known collectively as CRISPR-Cas systems. CRISPR-Cas systems generate immunological memories of infecting bacterial viruses to provide defense when these threats are encountered again. We discovered that bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems exploit a unique portion of an infecting virus’s life cycle, a dormant state known as lysogeny, to establish and carry out the steps required for adaptive immunity against these viruses. Our discoveries shed light on the enigmatic mechanisms by which bacteria create and use immunological memories to defend themselves against viruses and other threats. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

When interviewing with Ph.D. programs, I was remarkably impressed with the caliber of research and well-rounded nature of the students and professors at Johns Hopkins. Compared to other top institutions, the collaborative and friendly nature of Hopkins researchers made Hopkins the obvious decision for my graduate studies. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am honored to receive the Bae Gyo Jung award and hope to represent it admirably. Receiving this award is an ideal way to celebrate the conclusion of many wonderful years of graduate studies. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

This project was particularly successful due to the guidance and knowledge of my professor Joshua Modell. Though the project took many unexpected twists and turns over the years, Josh was able to help craft a story we are proud to publish. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I think the Young Investigators’ Day program is an extraordinarily important celebration of those who execute the day-to-day of research. Without the time and commitment of students and fellows, academic research is not possible. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most cherished memories at Hopkins are those I have shared with my fellow graduate students, raising a glass to celebrate our accomplishments with one another. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I recently defended my thesis, and I am navigating a transition to the Midwest to continue pursuing scientific research. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

One of my life’s passions has been playing ice hockey — my first job in research was facilitated by a teammate on the ice hockey team at the University of North Carolina. Shortly after I started that first research position, we hoisted the league trophy as Atlantic Coast Conference Hockey League champions in 2015. 

Mehmet Keles, Ph.D.

THE A. McGEHEE HARVEY RESEARCH AWARD

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Understanding how the brain links internal states — like sleepiness or alertness — to behavior is a central question in neuroscience. While scientists have long known that small movements, or microbehaviors, can reflect changes in an animal’s internal state, these subtle actions are hard to measure with existing tools. To address this, I developed FlyVISTA in Dr. Mark Wu’s lab — a machine-learning system that captures fine-scale behavior in freely moving fruit flies using high-resolution video and deep learning to track 35 body parts.

Using this platform, I discovered a previously unknown behavior called the haltere switch, a small movement that only occurs during deep sleep in flies. This suggests that, like mammals, flies also have different stages of sleep — one of which might be comparable to REM sleep. By revealing these detailed behavioral signatures of sleep and linking them to physiology (such as muscle atonia), FlyVISTA enables rigorous, quantitative analysis of behavior at a scale not previously possible. This discovery illustrates that fruit flies can serve as a powerful model to study the fine structure of sleep, helping to uncover its biological functions in a genetically tractable system.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because of its strong interdisciplinary environment and emphasis on translational research. Being surrounded by experts across neuroscience, engineering and medicine enabled me to refine our experimental and analytical approach in ways that directly enhanced the broader impact of our work. The culture at Hopkins encourages connecting fundamental discoveries to real-world applications, which was essential for shaping a project that not only advanced our understanding of sleep, but did so in a way that could resonate across multiple fields.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving this award is deeply meaningful to me both personally and professionally. It recognizes the long-term commitment and interdisciplinary effort that went into a project we developed over several years — bringing it from concept to publication. Being recognized for this work affirms the value of that process and motivates me as I pursue future research. Professionally, it highlights my ability to identify and tackle impactful scientific questions, which will strengthen my future applications.

It is a special honor to receive the McGehee Harvey Research Award, named after a visionary who championed research within clinical medicine. Dr. Harvey’s legacy — expanding scientific inquiry in fields like biomedical engineering and medical genetics — resonates with my own goal of bridging basic science and translational impact.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

This project succeeded thanks to a combination of interdisciplinary skills, long-term mentorship, and the collaborative environment at Hopkins. My background in both neuroscience and computational methods helped me design a system capable of capturing complex behaviors at high resolution. I also benefited greatly from mentors who supported long-term, high-risk projects and encouraged me to follow ideas that required sustained development. Being in an environment that valued both innovation and rigor was key to bringing this project to completion.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I think Young Investigators’ Day is a fantastic way to recognize and celebrate the innovative research being led by trainees at Hopkins. It highlights the essential role that students and fellows play in driving scientific discovery, and it provides a rare opportunity to honor their contributions in a formal, visible way — something that’s often lacking at the national level.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

One of my most memorable experiences at Johns Hopkins was finally getting an experiment to work after weeks of troubleshooting and iteration. The moment I saw it succeed — and immediately shared the news with my adviser — was incredibly rewarding. It captured the mix of persistence, relief and shared excitement that defines the best parts of doing science.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

Over the next year, I plan to apply for faculty positions as I take the next step toward establishing an independent research program.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

What makes me unique is my fearlessness when it comes to learning new methods and my constant drive to improve. I love building things — whether it’s a custom imaging system in the lab or a home improvement project on the weekend. As a recent homeowner, I’ve really enjoyed diving into DIY tasks like plumbing and electrical work. That hands-on curiosity fuels both my science and my hobbies.

Anish Kumar Mondal, Ph.D.

The Paul Ehrlich Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Myresearch uncovered the molecular mechanism by which the brain’s major neurotransmitter, glutamate, activates its principal receptor, the AMPA-subtype ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR). I demonstrated how both physiological and hyperthermic temperatures affect iGluRs. Using cryo-EM, I captured the first glutamate-activated structure of an iGluR. This discovery provides valuable insights into the molecular details of excitatory neurotransmission and offers a foundation for designing drugs targeting neurological disorders. This work was primarily conducted in Dr. Edward Twomey’s lab, in collaboration with ProfessorVasanthi Jayaraman’s lab at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because of its historical prestige and reputation for excellence in neuroscience and structural biology. The university’s legacy of groundbreaking research, combined with access to cutting-edge technologies like cryo-EM and a collaborative environment, made it the ideal place to pursue my work on glutamate receptors and neurological disorders.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

It is both a personal and professional honor to be selected for this award by a committee of esteemed scientists. This recognition will undoubtedly contribute to my career advancement. I am grateful to be acknowledged among the outstanding scientists at Johns Hopkins. Receiving an award named after Paul Ehrlich, who applied his biological expertise and understanding of basic sciences to solve translational research challenges, is truly humbling. This recognition will inspire me to continue pursuing solutions to neurological disorders through my biophysical expertise.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The success of my project can be attributed to several key factors. First and foremost, the invaluable guidance of my postdoc mentor, Dr. Edward Twomey, whose expertise in cryo-EM data analysis and structural biology was critical. The collaborative efforts of Dr. Elisa Carillo and ProfessorVasanthi Jayaraman also played a significant role. The staff at the Beckmann Center for Cryo-EM at Johns Hopkins provided essential support for the project. Additionally, the collaborative and supportive environment in the Twomey lab contributed greatly to my progress. Lastly, my hard work and some luck helped ensure the successful completion of the project.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day at Johns Hopkins is an exceptional event that showcases the remarkable work of students and fellows, providing a valuable opportunity for emerging scientists to share their research, engage in discussions and establish new collaborations. Being recognized by their institution is a significant motivator for trainees, and I feel honored to be involved in this event. It is a clear testament to Johns Hopkins' dedication to the growth and success of its trainees. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

A memorable moment for me was seeing the 2D class averages of my protein for the first time while working on cryo-EM.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I am looking forward to applying for faculty positions, primarily in my home country, India.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any specialhobbies, interests or life experiences?

My hobby is watching cinema from around the world, and I also love playing and watching cricket.

Yiyan Lin

The David Yue Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Ras GTPases play a critical role in cell proliferation and differentiation and are mutated in approximately 30% of cancers. In the laboratory of Peter N. Devreotes, I investigate Ras regulation in cell migration. As Ras is activated at the leading edge of many migrating cells, my collaborator and I explored whether RasGAPs, natural Ras inhibitors, could halt migration and potentially prevent cancer metastasis. While RasGAP activation effectively suppressed Ras signaling, it unexpectedly induced cell polarization. This finding has important implications that directly inhibiting Ras may unintentionally enhance polarization and promote metastasis, highlighting careful considerations for future drug design targeting oncogenic Ras.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins simply because of its collaborative environment for research and the supportive spirit for curiosity I received from my mentor, Peter, my department (biological chemistry) and all of my research colleagues and collaborators. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am honored and humbled to receive the David Yue Award. In the spirit of perseverance, I’d like to share a quote from Dr. Yue: “You mustn’t let what could have been destroy the dream and wonder of what is and what will be. Keep your bow pointed – Good luck.” May these words inspire everyone on their journey of discovery.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

I am genuinely grateful for the support, advice and help I have received from my mentor, collaborators, colleagues and friends — and perhaps a little bit of luck.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

All the wonderful collaborations I am fortunate to pursue with my colleagues, and the freedom to follow my passion.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I plan to look for a postdoc position.

Yongqing Liu, Ph.D.

The Paul Ehrlich Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

I joined Dr. Zhaozhu Qiu’s lab for postdoctoral training in September 2019. I’m interested in studying the role of epigenetic factors in neurological diseases. Intellectual disability (ID) affects approximately 2% of the population, and ID-associated genes are enriched for epigenetic factors, including those encoding the largest family of histone lysine acetyltransferases (KAT5-KAT8). Among them is KAT6A, whose mutations cause KAT6A syndrome, with ID as a common clinical feature. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Our results demonstrate that KAT6A-RSPO2-Wnt axis plays a critical role in regulating hippocampal CA3 synaptic plasticity and cognitive function, providing potential therapeutic targets for KAT6A syndrome and related neurodevelopmental diseases.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because it has world-renowned scientists and an excellent academic atmosphere, especially in the field of bioscience and medicine, which is exactly what I am interested in.   

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving the Paul Ehrlich Award is a great honor, and it’s a strong motivation to continue my academic pursuits.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

Without my mentor Dr. Qiu’s support and guidance, it would have been very challenging to finish my project successfully. In addition, hard work, collaboration and support from my family and colleagues were also important.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

It is not only a recognition and encouragement for students and fellows, but it also provides a platform to gather these excellent young investigators to brainstorm and share their outstanding research results.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

During my postdoctoral training, my wife came to Johns Hopkins for her postdoc study, and her arrival gave me more motivation to pursue scientific research. Also, it’s very memorable for me to participate in Qiu lab activities to celebrate the holidays and everyone’s achievements.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I plan to look for a faculty position and establish a lab to continue my academic research.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I like traveling and visiting natural scenery. I saw the spectacular northern lights in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Alexandra D. Medcalf

Postbaccalaureate Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

During the past two years, I have been working in Dr. Jennifer Pluznick’s lab investigating the mechanism of a specific receptor and sex differences in blood pressure. Our lab has found that when this receptor is absent in the kidney, anticipated sex differences in blood pressure are gone. My project has found that two sex hormones, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones, do not activate this receptor like hypothesized. The other part of this project has been seeing if there are differences in proteins between male and female mice that have or lack this receptor. Currently, I am still analyzing this data and trying to understand what proteins are worth further investigating and may explain the phenotype we see. This research is important because men and women have the same diagnostic measure for hypertension even though women incur significant cardiovascular risks at lower blood pressures than men. Better understanding of the sex differences in blood pressure would support the need for better sex-specific diagnostic measures and treatments in the clinic. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose to pursue a PREP program at Johns Hopkins because of the potential to get rigorous research experience and support while applying to MSTP programs.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Personally, this award has shown me that while I may not think I have accomplished enough during my post-bac, the work I have done is important, and others outside of my lab agree. I honestly almost did not apply because I did not think I had enough data, but my PI encouraged me to. I am so glad she did. Professionally, this is my first award like this for research, so it is a big deal that as a post-bac I can add this to my resume. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The biggest thing that contributed to my project’s success was the support and guidance from my PI, Jen, my labmates and other grad students in the physiology department. This is the first time I have had this level of autonomy over a project. At times that was daunting, but Jen was always there to help and make sure I was prioritizing the right things despite setbacks. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I think Young Investigators’ Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the time, dedication and hard work that students and fellows undertake to accomplish high-quality research at Johns Hopkins. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most memorable experience at Hopkins has been experiencing the community that I have built with my labmates over the past two years. I was nervous moving so far away from home, not knowing a single soul and being at a huge institution, but my lab has really helped me see that I am capable of building community and thriving in new environments. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? 

I am currently in the application cycle for MSTP (M.D./Ph.D.) programs, so I will be wrapping up my post-bac soon and matriculating into a physician-scientist program this fall. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I am from a small, rural town in Oklahoma, so moving to Baltimore was a huge accomplishment, especially since I was the first one in my family to move this far away. I also really enjoy fiber crafts like embroidery and crocheting. 

Tushar D. Nichakawade

THE MICHAEL A. SHANOFF RESEARCH AWARD

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

T cells can be engineered to target and kill cancer cells via synthetic proteins called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). In the clinic, CAR T cells are targeted to single antigens overexpressed on cancer, but also kill normal cells because those antigens are not entirely cancer specific. For some blood cancers, the resulting normal toxicity is manageable, but this is not the case for most other cancers. During my Ph.D. in the lab of Dr. Kenneth Kinzler and Dr. Bert Vogelstein at The Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins, I focused on engineering new synthetic receptors that enable CAR T cells to kill cancer cells based on combinations of antigens with Boolean logic. These new receptors allow engineered T cells to more precisely kill cancer cells and spare normal cells, yielding a safe and more effective cancer therapy. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose to attend Johns Hopkins for my Ph.D. because of the highly interdisciplinary research environment and focus on translational research. The expertise we have in science, engineering and medicine is unparalleled and helps us solve the biggest problems affecting patients. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am incredibly grateful to be recognized for the Michael A. Shanoff Research Award for my Ph.D. research. It is an honor to be included among the previous winners, many of whom I look up to. For me, this milestone means continuing to tackle big problems and engineering useful solutions for those in need.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

My project’s success is a testament to all the mentors who have shaped my creative thinking process, both at Johns Hopkins and at previous institutions. I would particularly like to thank Dr. Surojit Sur and Dr. Suman Paul for their mentorship in ideation and experimental execution for my projects. Mentorship from Dr. Denis Wirtz, Dr. Shibin Zhou, Dr. Bert Vogelstein and Dr. Kenneth Kinzler were also invaluable to my project for providing scope and direction. Additionally, the open scientific discussion and insights provided by fellow staff, trainees and faculty at The Ludwig Center also played a critical role in the success of this research. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

The Young Investigators’ Day celebration is an important way to remember and honor the legacy of biomedical research at Johns Hopkins. It is a reminder that students and fellows are critical to scientific innovation and discovery. The event itself is also important for showcasing the diverse research at Hopkins and fostering community.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

There are too many to count, but the moments when an initially serious brainstorming session turns into a silly one are the best! Especially when the resulting idea seems realistic enough but is certainly impractical.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

After graduating, I hope to work toward leading a lab that will leverage synthetic biology and protein engineering to create unique solutions for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

If I am not in the lab, you can probably find me on the tennis court! I also enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors.

Alejandra Montaño Romero

The Alicia Showalter Reynolds Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

Using theoretical and applied biophysical methods, we discovered how a patient mutation in a class of glutamate receptors responsible for excitatory neurotransmission isaffected at the atomic level. This multifaceted approach provides the necessary fine detail for improving the therapeutic landscape for patients affected by this mutation. This work was done in the lab of Dr. Edward Twomey and in close collaboration with the lab of Dr. Albert Lau. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because of its highly collaborative environment, as exemplified by the nature of this project. Additionally, the ongoing science at Johns Hopkins and its people are unparalleled.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am extremely honored to receive the Alicia Showalter Reynolds Research Award for outstanding Ph.D. students. I am grateful to have my thesis work recognized, becoming a major milestone in my career. 

What contributed to your project’s success?

The mentorship received from Dr. Twomey and Dr. Lau strengthened my curiosity and creativity, allowing the project to grow in new directions. Meaningful scientific conversations with colleagues in both labs also played a significant role in the project’s success. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is a wonderful celebration of all the creative and rigorous work happening across Johns Hopkins. The ceremony enables us to share our work with those outside our direct communities, increasing our breadth of knowledge. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins was running my first molecular dynamics simulation. I am a self-taught programmer, so it was a big personal win. 

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I am graduating in May and starting a postdoctoral position shortly after. I will be continuing my career at Johns Hopkins.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I love getting tattoos; I have a nearly complete sleeve on my right arm. I’m not sure when I will stop getting tattooed, but I know it’s not anytime soon! I also love to read thrillers and mystery novels.

James Saba

The Nupur Dinesh Thekdi Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

The ribosome is a macromolecular complex that is essential for life. My work provides deeper understanding of how mammalian cells regulate the synthesis of ribosomes through a key protein called LARP1. My work also identified a physical interaction between LARP1 and ribosomes that enables LARP1 to sense ribosome concentration and titrate its own protein expression accordingly. This work was done in the lab of Rachel Green in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins because of the kind, collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment of researchers.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

This award serves as a capstone to my Ph.D. work. I am delighted that other researchers at Johns Hopkins value my research through this award. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

This project would not have been possible without my Ph.D. mentor, Dr. Rachel Green. She is a rigorous and brilliant scientist who makes it fun to come to work every day and whose guidance helped to make sense of some confusing observations during this project. It also would not have been possible without the other members of the Green lab, who provided insightful feedback throughout this project. Finally, it would not have been possible without the work of our collaborator, Jingdong Cheng, whose lab at Fudan University solved the Cryo-EM structure of LARP1 bound to the 40S ribosomal subunit. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is an important celebration of some of the incredible work being done by trainees at Johns Hopkins. 

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

That is hard to answer. There have been a lot of memorable experiences here.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will defend my Ph.D. thesis this summer and return to medical school in August. I will then complete my last two clinical years of medical school and apply to residency programs. 

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I learned to dunk a basketball at the age of 30.

Rong Wu, Ph.D.

THE W. BARRY WOOD JR. RESEARCH AWARD

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

As a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Shuying Sun’s lab in the Department of Physiology, I investigated how RNA repeats regulate RNP granule homeostasis and contribute to neurodegeneration. My research focuses on the (GGGGCC)n repeat expansion in C9ORF72, the leading genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (C9-FTD/ALS). I have demonstrated that repeat RNA disrupts nuclear speckle dynamics, sequestering SRRM2 into cytoplasmic poly-GR inclusions, which leads to RNA splicing defects and neuronal toxicity. These findings uncover a novel mechanism linking nuclear speckle dysfunction to RNA misprocessing in C9-FTD/ALS, providing insights into potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

 Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

As a world-renowned research institution, Johns Hopkins fosters a highly collaborative and supportive environment. I was deeply drawn to the Shuying Lab’s research on RNA dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases. Being a member of her lab and the broader Johns Hopkins community has greatly enhanced my skills and expertise, shaping my path toward becoming an independent research scientist.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am deeply honored to receive the W. Barry Wood Jr. Research Award, a truly inspiring recognition. Barry Wood’s dedication to studying disease pathogenesis closely aligns with my research interest in understanding the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The success of my project was driven by cutting-edge research methodologies and the exploration of diverse experimental approaches. The insightful guidance of my mentor, Dr. Shuying Sun, along with productive discussions and collaborations within our research team, played a crucial role. Additionally, technical support from specialists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as well as access to human brain samples and expert guidance from Brain Resource Core, significantly contributed to the project’s progress.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Young Investigators’ Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the achievements of researchers and celebrate the contributions of students and fellows in the basic sciences. It serves as an inspiration, encouraging the next generation of scientists to carry forward the pursuit of discovery and innovation.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My most memorable experience is the freedom to explore scientific questions and uncover answers through the development of technical methods, rigorous experimental design and systematic validation.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will pursue faculty positions to start my independent research career.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I seem to be the only one in my circle who doesn’t drink coffee. In my free time, I really enjoy spending time with my family.

Yu Kang “Tiger” Xu

The Hans J. Prochaska Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

To coordinate billions of electrical impulses that must arrive with millisecond precision, the brain employs myelin — fatty insulation that modulates the speed of signal transmission. Loss of myelin, and associated temporal control, is thus commonly found in neurodegenerative diseases, leading to impaired learning, disrupted motor control and seizures. Myelin is particularly interesting as it is produced throughout life, unlike most other substrates in the brain, meaning that the entire myelin landscape can shift to support learning and promote recovery from injury. In the Bergles laboratory, I sought to map this incredibly diverse and dynamic myelin landscape at the brain-wide level, using whole-brain imaging and deep-learning tools. Altogether, these interrogations revealed unique differences in vulnerability and regenerative potential across the brain, while also highlighting enhanced plasticity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in advanced age. These insights are critical to understanding the dynamics of myelin patterning throughout life, while also providing a robust platform to assess the mechanisms that maintain and disrupt the myelin landscape in health and disease.

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I chose Johns Hopkins for the people. From the first interview day to the final decision, I could see the incredibly kind, collaborative environment fostered by the students and faculty of the neuroscience department, and I was quite certain that I wanted to be a part of this wonderful community.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

Receiving this award is both an honor and a reminder of the incredible support that Johns Hopkins has provided me over the last six years. I would not be the scientist I am today without the amazing mentors I have here, both personally and professionally, and I hope to follow in the footsteps of prior award recipients.

What contributed to your project’s success? 

This project was a massive interdisciplinary undertaking, requiring expertise in neurobiology, optics and computer science. Consequently, a huge reason for this project’s success was the collaborations I was able to establish through interdisciplinary networks at Johns Hopkins, such as the Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute. This initiative, which bridges the biomedical engineering and neuroscience departments, enabled me to find co-mentors from both fields (Dr. Bergles and Dr. Sulam) and helped me grow as both a computer scientist and a biologist. Moreover, the guidance and support I received from my co-mentors and lab members has been critical to ensuring my project’s success. From data analysis to surgical procedures to optimizing complicated optical instruments, my labmates have always been there to lend a hand, and I am forever grateful to have had a chance to work with these incredible individuals. 

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

Academic research is a lifelong pursuit that can often feel incredibly lonely and insurmountable without a supportive community of like-minded peers. I think initiatives like Young Investigators’ Day are an important opportunity for students and fellows to take a step back and celebrate the journey while also having the chance to network and find inspiring new ideas for the next step along the academic path.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

My favorite moment is the first time I ever completed a craniotomy and was able to look under a microscope to watch as cells moved about in a living brain in real time. I was awestruck by the incredible complexity of this machinery that gives rise to consciousness, emotions and memories, and I remember thinking to myself just how lucky I was to have the opportunity to study something so beautiful.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I will be graduating in June 2025, and I am in the process of applying to postdoctoral positions in Boston. My hope is to stay in academia.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I love the performing arts! Many years ago, I founded a theater company with a good friend of mine, Two Gents of New West, which aimed to support aspiring artists of all kinds. We produced several plays and community events, and even helped release a jazz album. I hope one day to return to the arts in some way, but in the meantime, I am always on the lookout for exciting new performances.

Zhong Yi Yeow, D.Phil.

The Alfred Blalock Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

During my postdoc in the Holland lab at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, I uncovered how the protein TRIM37 controls key structures involved in cell division by sensing when they form large assemblies and triggering their breakdown. How a single enzyme could selectively recognize and act on such large assemblies remained unclear. My work elucidated the molecular steps that activate TRIM37—beginning with substrate recognition, followed by enzymatic activation and culminating in degradation. This mechanism ensures cells divide with high fidelity and helps explain how TRIM37 mutations lead to the Mulibrey nanism disorder, as well as why certain cancers are vulnerable to therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting these structures.More broadly, these findings reveal a general principle for how the TRIM protein family regulates large cellular assemblies, providing insight into their diverse roles in human health and disease. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

I had a great collaboration with the Holland Lab while at Oxford, which sparked my interest in their work. Joining them at Johns Hopkins felt like a natural step to deepen my expertise and learn from a group I deeply respected. 

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

It’s a meaningful recognition of this particular chapter in my journey. Reading about Dr. Blalock’s life and dedication to research has been inspiring, and I hope to be a kind mentor to others, just as he was. 

What contributed to your project’s success? 

The first AlphaFold release in July 2021 gave me the quiet confidence that my hypothesis might be correct. But to prove it, I needed the support of my wonderful co-authors (including Johns Hopkins students Sonia Sarju, Fang-Chi Chang and Lance Xu) and Andrew’s guidance to deliver this project.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

It’s a beautiful tradition that celebrates the role students and fellows play in driving discovery at Hopkins. And honestly, it’s just nice to still be called “young”!

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

Walking past the Christ statue each day—seeing people pause, rub the feet, pray or leave flowers—always moves me in a special way.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I’ll be returning to Singapore to start my independent research group in the fall of 2025. If you’re interested in cell division and protein degradation in cancer, I’d love to connect!

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I’m partially color blind. False color imaging and color-blind-friendly figures are a lifesaver.

Fan Zhao, Ph.D.

The Albert Lehninger Research Award

Please describe briefly and in simple terms your research discovery. Why is it important in the context of your field? In what lab did you do the research?

My research established a detailed understanding of how E3 and E2 enzymes, Bre1 and Rad6, cooperatively mediate histone H2B ubiquitination, and provided insights into how cancer-associated mutations in human Bre1, Rad6 and the nucleosome disrupt this process, potentially driving cancer development. Furthermore, these findings facilitate the discovery of potential drug targets and the rational design of therapeutics for disease treatment.I did this project in Cynthia Wolberger’s Lab. 

Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?

Johns Hopkins not only provides a strong platform for basic research but also houses world-renowned hospitals. As is widely recognized, Johns Hopkins has made significant contributions to both basic research and clinical advancements, greatly enhancing global human health. Therefore, it serves as an exceptional platform for young investigators pursuing careers in medical science and related research fields.

What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?

I am deeply honored to receive this award. It inspires me to advance further in my research and plays a significant role in my career development. Being named after the renowned biochemist Albert Lehninger, this award motivates me to pursue even more impactful work!

What contributed to your project’s success? 

My Ph.D. training has provided me with strong expertise in biochemistry, equipping me to undertake this project. Additionally, guidance is crucial to its success. The Wolberger lab has decades of research experience in protein ubiquitination and epigenetics, and my mentor’s insights will be invaluable in steering this project forward.

What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the rolesstudents and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?

I believe Young Investigators’ Day is not only a celebration of the research achievements of students and fellows at Johns Hopkins but also an opportunity to foster interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration across various research fields.

What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?

I have been deeply impressed by the incredibly supportive research environment at Johns Hopkins. When I first arrived, I had no prior experience with cryo-EM, a technique essential for the progression of my project. However, thanks to the extensive support and training provided by the cryo-EM community, I was able to quickly develop my skills, which significantly accelerated my research progress.

What are your plans for the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?

I still have very important projects ongoing. I will likely focus on the current research for the next few years.

Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?

I often go hiking to relax. Being close to nature inspires me with new ideas.