Week 2!

Hi everyone,
My name is Marion Berzansky, and I’m a rising senior majoring in Microbiology at the University of Kansas. I grew up in Lafayette, California, and outside of science, I enjoy staying active—whether it’s playing soccer, skiing, sailing, or pickleball. After graduation, I plan to pursue a degree in higher education in genetics or immunology, and I’ll begin applying to graduate programs this fall.

This summer, I feel incredibly fortunate to be working in Dr. Jameson’s lab as part of the REU program. I’ve been paired with Dregyn Bennett, a fellow summer scholar, and together we’re investigating the sequential migration of immune cells in the skin that leads to the breakdown of immune privilege and the onset of alopecia in C3H mice. Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of how this autoimmune condition develops and ultimately results in hair loss. This past week, we began monitoring the mice for early signs of alopecia. We are particularly focused on identifying immune cell migration patterns that occur prior to visible hair loss.

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Using immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy, we will stain skin samples with a variety of antibodies to label specific immune cell types and track their spatial and temporal dynamics in the skin. By targeting different markers, we aim to establish a cellular timeline that illustrates which immune cells infiltrate the tissue, when they arrive, and how their presence correlates with disease progression. To prepare, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to select key cell types, antibodies,and fluorescent channels for our imaging. We also received hands-on training from lab members in techniques such as tissue embedding, antibody staining, and microscopy analysis. With their guidance, we practiced on prepared samples and coordinated the ordering of young mice—an essential step for studying early-stage disease. We also completed biosafety and sterile technique training in the tissue culture hood, where Vale, an experienced lab member, demonstrated how to safely and aseptically handle biohazardous materials.

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Beyond our primary research, I’ve also been collaborating with Mia Handojo on our bacterial genome announcement project. We selected Paenibacillus turicensis, a clinically intriguing species that was originally isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a Swiss patient—an ordinarily sterile environment. Its unusual origin made it a fascinating case study from a clinical microbiology perspective.

A highlight of the week was a moonrise hike with the REU cohort and Dr. Read. We hiked to the summit just in time to see the sun set and the full moon rise—a particularly vivid “strawberry moon,” which appeared more like a glowing nectarine due to its deep orange hue. Along the way, we shared a (perhaps overly generous) supply of peanut M&Ms, which attracted the attention of some mountaintop mice. We also spotted a baby rattlesnake near the summit—thankfully from a safe distance. As the moon climbed higher, we turned on our flashlights and descended the trail, making for a slightly eerie but unforgettable adventure.

On Saturday, I spent the day relaxing at Torrey Pines Beach. It was my first visit, and it exceeded expectations. I enjoyed a beach side picnic, read The Hot Zone (an intense but captivating read on Ebola),
and swam in the ocean. I was also mesmerized by the coastal birds, which darted across the sand to scoop up tiny crabs before they could burrow away. It was a peaceful and refreshing way to recharge after a
busy week in the lab.

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On Sunday morning, Eric and I attended a free yoga class at the campus rock climbing gym. Warrior pose definitely challenged us, but we left feeling relaxed and re-energized. On our walk back, we spotted several caterpillars munching on the milkweed plants scattered around campus—a small but lovely reminder of the local biodiversity.

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This REU experience has already been incredibly meaningful. It has deepened my passion for laboratory research and confirmed my interest in pursuing graduate-level education in microbiology or biomedical
sciences. I’m especially excited to bring back the skills and insights I’ve gained to my research labs at KU this fall. Overall, this week was intellectually stimulating, hands-on, and a lot of fun. I’m
looking forward to the weeks ahead and everything this program continues to offer—both in and out of the lab.
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-berzansky-639b90282/

If you're also in the REU program, I'd love to hear more about your work—let’s stay in touch and keep the scientific conversations (and weekend adventures) going!
Hope you enjoyed reading about this week's highlights, Marion Berzansky

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