Research Rookies Student Profiles
Name: Keianna Cummings
Cohort: Sophomore/Transfer Research Rookie
Major: Biological Sciences
Hometown: DeKalb, Illinois
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sherine Elsawa
Sophomore Biological Sciences student Keianna Cummings is a Boston native, who completed her first year of college in northern Michigan before transferring to NIU. Even though there has been a lot of change throughout Keianna’s life, her interest in medicine has stayed the same. Hearing stories from her cousin who works in immunology initially intrigued Keianna, but now she has decided she would like to eventually focus on plastic surgery, or transplant surgery.
Since both plastic surgery and transplant surgery are complex and very specific, Keianna seized the opportunity to assist in research on campus through the Research Rookies program. Keianna is currently working with Dr. Elsawa to determine the effect of a specific protein on a tumor cell. They are trying to conclude whether a specific protein increases or decreases the amount of mRNA in the tumor cells, and thereby affects the growth rate. They are specifically working with the CCL5 cytokine protein in an HS5 stroma (tumor) cell. Discovering the exact effects of this protein on a tumor cell could help develop novel treatment therapies or at least increase knowledge about tumor cells. Keianna is currently responsible for her own sets of cells which she must keep alive and well for the project. She has also transfected some of the cells and is looking forward to more hands-on experience.
Between her involvement in the Honors Program, the Pre-Professional Association, the Biological Honors Society Phi Sigma, and Research Rookies, Keianna is well on her way to becoming the surgeon she hopes to be.
Keianna on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means a better opportunity into a medical program. It is an amazing opportunity to expan on knowledge you may have about research. Being a Research Rookie means striving to be better in your future career.”