Natalie Thezan

Hi, my name is Nathalie Carla Thezan. I grew up in Miami, Florida and went to college at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology.

I first became interested in science while volunteering in Port au Prince, Haiti. I participated in numerous medical missions, but the experience that stood out to me the most was when I witnessed the process of rapid HIV tests. I was astonished by how simply adding the combination of a blood sample and latex reagent to an immunoconcentrated cassette can instantly detect a life-threatening virus. Further investigation led to basic comprehension of the assay of rapid HIV tests, but I wasn’t satisfied; I was still craving to understand the proper science behind it.

I decided on a career in research because I am predominately interested in making a broader impact on the elucidation of infectious disease mechanisms in context of pathogenesis.

I am mostly interested in the association of microbiology, infectious diseases, and public health.

My long-term career goals are utilizing knowledge from my doctoral studies to continue performing research in a governmental or industrial setting. In addition, I plan to construct a non-profit laboratory in Port au Prince, Haiti, where scientists can collaborate and study maladies that affect the native population.

I decided to join the PREP program to fortify my research experience, which will contribute to making me a top candidate as I apply to competitive and prestigious doctoral graduate programs. Being a PREP Scholar has further confirmed that I belong in research.

My faculty mentor is Dr. Vincent Starai and my research mentor is Emily Carpinone. In Dr. Starai’s lab, we identify and biochemically characterize secreted proteins from intracellular bacterial pathogens that are capable of modulating host membrane dynamics. Bacteria from the genus Wolbachia, are considered one of the world’s most common parasitic microbes, as they can survive within the cells of a diverse number of invertebrate species. While it is unknown how Wolbachia persists within its host, it likely uses a set of secreted proteins to ensure its intracellular survival. Using a simple yeast model system to mimic a eukaryotic host cell, we have obtained preliminary data that demonstrates one such protein, called wBm0152, has the ability to alter the normal trafficking of endosomal cargo. My independent project focuses on identifying the molecular targets of wBm0152 in yeast, which are likely conserved in Wolbachia’s nematode host. I hypothesize that Wbm0152 alters eukaryotic membrane traffic in order to ensure Wolbachia endosymbionts persist and disseminate in its natural host. To address my hypothesis, I will use a varied research approach including yeast DNA transformations, florescence microscopy, PCR, and Western blotting. Identification of these molecular targets will provide new information regarding the ability of Wolbachia to alter host physiology.

My name is Nathalie Carla Thezan, and I am a PREP at UGA Scholar.