Larissa Dougherty, Phd Email & Phone Number

Lenexa, Kansas, United States

Hanover, New Hampshire, United States

As a graduate student in the Avasthi Lab, I studied regulation of the cell’s antenna called cilia. This are present on most cells in the body and can lead to extreme developmental defects when its regulation is also defective. Using chemical perturbations and mutants in the single celled green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii which has 2 cilia with highly conserved components and mechanisms to human cilia, I teased apart how the cell can tune structures and pathways to gear up for ciliary growth or resorption. Throughout this work, we used TEM/DIC/fluorescent microscopy, immunoblotting, genetic manipulations, and small molecule inhibitors to find that the cell must coordinate changes to ciliary proteins and structures in addition to pathways outside of the cilium to regulate length. Publications:https://doi.org/10.26508/lsa.202301899https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.07.536038 (preprint)

Kansas City, Kansas

Ciliary length and regulation are dictated by intraflagellar transport (IFT) which transports building materials into cilia to regulate assembly. Recent research has revealed multiple molecular targets in the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway that regulate ciliary length in many different types of cells from photoreceptors to C. elegans sensory neuron cilia. However, the mechanism that connects how MAPK regulates this function is unclear. Previously, our lab has found that BCI, [(E)-2-benzylidine-3-(cyclohexylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one], a vertebrate MAP Kinase Phosphatase 3 inhibitor, increases phosphorylated MAPK, shortens flagella, and prevents regeneration of full-length flagella in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The goal of my research project is to use BCI to identify more molecular targets in the MAPK pathway and ultimately put together a mechanism for its relation to ciliary length regulation.

As a research assistant in the Swint-Kruse lab, I assisted looking at a type of nonconserved position called “rheostat” positions: that is, when multiple amino acids are substituted in one position, each has a different mutation outcome. For this project, I was given the opportunity to learn large data analysis of both bioinformatic and experimental data of proteins. After organizing the data, I analyzed it to determine what amino acid positions to next mutate in a homolog from this family. I would then perform mutagenesis to look for patterns in assay results that could be used to improve computer predictions. This project also involved performing PCR, transformations, inoculating E. coli, plasmid preparations, and analyzing sequences for correct mutations.

Liberty, Mo

This job involves working with a group of individuals who focus on the general maintenance of the grounds of William Jewell College. This job also involves constant planning and cooperation with others as well as constant problem solving due to situational issues because of equipment.

Liberty, Mo

As a resident assistant, I was in charge of maintaining the order of a dorm building along with multiple other team members in the building. As resident assistants, we foster relationships with and among residents in our hallways, plan events with them, and ensure that they are abiding by the rules of the dorm by being safe and respectful to the people around them.

Liberty, Mo

As a lab assistant, I prepare chemicals and solutions for labs and maintain the cleanliness of the labs on a weekly basis. This position has allowed me to prepare chemicals for General Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry I, and Organic Chemistry II labs.

Leawood, Ks

My job was to assist members of NAPCRG in the Leawood branch in any areas where help is necessary. I have run a registration table for a week at a national conference in Colorado Springs where I answered questions, answered phone calls, handed out agendas and other items related to registration to people who arrived at the venue, run one of the sessions, and I collected qualitative data for a research paper I will be writing with one of my bosses.

Raymore, Mo

This job involved working with parents and children on a daily basis to plan activities and ensure a fun, safe time for children who attended the camp.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Biochemistry And Cell Biology

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Biochemistry

Activities and Societies: Alpha Gamma Delta, Rotaract, Resident Assistant, Undergraduate researcher, Pryor Leadership Program, Mortar Board