Principal Investigator: Dr. Mark Lemmon

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephen Meltzer• Investigated KLF5’s role in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its possible connection to SHH, a gene known to be associated with Barrett’s esophagus and EAC developmento Performed siRNA transfection, RNA extraction, qRT-PCR, WST-1 viability assays, scratch migration assays, and immunocytochemistry

Principal Investigator: Dr. John Harmon, M.D.• Investigated optimal delivery methods of HIF-1α-containing plasmids into epithelial cells to promote wound healing, reduce atrophic skin, and potentially prevent scarringo Transfected plasmid via electroporation, iontophoresis and chitosan to murine modelso Operated in vivo imaging instruments to measure transfection efficiencyo Measured wound size and healed skin tensile strength to quantify wound healingo Performed RT-qPCR to verify transfection and support wound healing results• Investigated Itraconazole, an antifungal drug, as a treatment for esophageal cancero Assisted in esophagojejunostomy to set up cancer modelo Monitored and delivered drug to animals for forty weekso Performed qRT-PCR to measure drug effect in vitro at different dosages and time points