Molecular and Cell Biology Researcher Guides Local Teen to Success

BUGSDM Researcher Sheede Khalil mentored local high school student Christina Chang to win one of 10 top commendations from the Research Science Institute (RSI) for research on development of the submandibular gland (SMG). Chang worked with Khalil during a six-week research rotation this summer.

Under Khalil’s supervision, Chang looked at the effects of diminished E-cadherin N-glycosylation on mouse submandibular gland development. Khalil has studied the embryonic development of the mouse submandibular gland in Dr. Kukuruzinska’s laboratory for the past two years.

RSI pairs high school students such as Chang with mentors at universities, corporations, and organizations to conduct research and take college-level courses. Professor Maria Kukuruzinska has welcomed RSI students to her laboratory for the past 13 years. After working at BUGSDM, previous RSI students have excelled in the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition, Intel Science Talent Search, and as Presidential Scholars.