Brandon Boland

What I did:

My research focused on the mechanisms underlying consumption in two species of apple snails. In addition, we tested these mechanisms between size classes in each species. We collected the first species, P. insularum, from Armand Bayou in Houston, TX. The second species, P. canaliculata, was a little more difficult to obtain. Dr. Burks and I obtained travel money through the University and spent a month in South America (Uruguay) hunting for snails. Thankfully, Dr. Burks had contacts in Uruguay which made our expedition much easier. We performed essentially the same experiments with both species of apple snail and tested the influence of resource structure and chemistry on apple snail consumption.

What I learned:

The most valuable thing I learned is that the skills obtained from performing research carry over into many other scientific fields. As an undergraduate I did ecological research and then I got more experience in a molecular lab.

Where I am now: I'm currently a first-year graduate student in the Molecular Metabolism & Nutrition program at the University of Chicago. I've just completed my first lab rotation examining the role of the SMRT corepressor on insulin sensitivity in the adipocyte. This spring, I'll begin my second rotation exploring autophagy of insulin granules in the pancreatic beta cell. In insulin resistant diabetic patients, insulin biogenesis is increased in the beta cell but granule exocytosis remains relatively steady. These granules gradually build up but the cellular autophagic mechanisms that regulate their degradation are poorly understood. An elucidation of this process could lend insight into the pathophysiology and treatment of Type II diabetes.

Feel Free to Email me:brandon.boland@gmail.com.