Nicole is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Neuroscience and English at UCLA. She
is heavily interested in ailments correlated to neurodegeneration and mental health. At
UCLA, Nicole conducts research in Dr. David Eisenberg’s lab under the mentorship of Dr.
Liisa Lutter. Researchers at the Eisenberg lab aim to comprehend the detrimental effects
of amyloid fibrils to uncover faster neurodegenerative diagnostics and therapeutics.
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are distinguished by
cognitive and neuronal decline. These diseases are rapidly growing due to aging in the
elderly, and treatments are limited. Nicole’s research project in the Eisenberg lab focuses
on the α-synuclein protein that forms aggregates known as Lewy bodies in affected
Parkinson’s patients. This project concentrates on developing plant molecules that inhibit
α-synuclein protein aggregation. Her project is divided into three experimental stages.
She will track the effects of these plant molecules in vitro on recombinant α-synuclein,
then investigate the impact of efficient compounds in ex vivo patient-brain derived fibrils
and eventually conduct cell culture experiments. In conjunction with Dr. Lutter’s research
on the mechanisms of action of these plant molecules, Nicole’s project seeks to uncover
therapeutic options against Parkinson’s. If therapeutic effects are examined, the
compound should cross the blood-brain barrier of mice and reach affected brain regions.
Nicole would like to express her sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Eisenberg and
Dr. Lutter for their continued mentorship and support in conducting research. Nicole will
also like to thank the CARE Fellows program for their generosity and guidance.