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Taylor Robinson ’06 (Lincoln, R.I.) is conducting research that may have implications for understanding protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Type II diabetes, and Mad Cow disease.
Robinson, a biochemistry major and member of the track and field team, is collaborating with Yvonne Gindt, assistant professor of chemistry.
“We’re examining the order in which proteins fold and bind,” explains Gindt. “Taylor is conducting basic research that may help us determine how proteins recognize each other.”
This project is part of Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students assist faculty with research while earning a stipend. Lafayette is a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate in EXCEL each year go on to publish papers in scholarly journals and/or present their research at conferences.
“I am working on a portion of a larger project with Dr. Gindt, dealing with a protein called phycocyanin. We are trying to learn more about how the protein folds and unfolds, and I’m researching a step of this process where the protein transitions from a trimer state to monomer state,” explains Robinson.
Gindt received a $100,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue her research with Lafayette students on protein folding and aggregation, which has applications to a number of terminal diseases. She investigated improper folding of proteins with three students who presented their findings at the Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention and later this month will accompany three of her research students to the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, Calif.
Robinson is enjoying the chance to build her lab skills and experience first-hand the rigors of conducting science in her first research outside the classroom. Though unsure of her career plans, she credits this project with offering her skills that can be used in a variety of disciplines.
“One thing I have gained already is some confidence in my knowledge of laboratory procedures,” she says. “I think this research definitely has practical applications. In order to fix something you need to first find out how it works, and that is what we’re doing.”
Her faculty mentor is pleased with her progress and drive.
“Taylor is getting a better understanding of how science works by conducting this research,” says Gindt. “She has a lot of potential and is a great candidate to do a project of this kind.”
Says Robinson, “Dr. Gindt is a very good mentor, because she lets me in the thought process. Instead of telling me what to do next, she asks what I think I should do, then helps me develop a plan.”
She adds, “Since Lafayette is small, it is possible to work directly with a professor as an undergraduate. This opportunity would not have been available at many other schools.”
In addition to competing in track and field, Robinson is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.
She is a graduate of Lincoln High School.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty-two students have been accepted to present their work at the next annual conference in April.