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SALISBURY, MD---¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ junior Aerin Rost-Nasshan recently earned the 2021 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Undergraduate Research Award, bringing her one step closer to her goal of becoming a clinical researcher. 

Rost-Nasshan, a biological sciences major and member of SU’s Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College, found her passion for scientific research during an honors research course where she worked in Dr. Michael Carter’s laboratory investigating acetyl-CoA assimilation in a bioplastics-producing bacterium.   

“The bacterium I am focusing on might have two distinct processes for converting acetyl-CoA into more useable parts,” she said. “These pathways are seemingly redundant, which is unusual because evolution tends to remove redundancies in favor for efficiency. This would indicate that there are elements of the assimilation pathways that we do not yet understand. I am investigating whether both pathways are active and if they are, how the bacterium is controlling which process is operational at a given time.”

The award is a nationally competitive grant for students completing summer research projects that improve skills and content mastery related to biochemistry and/or molecular biology. Evaluations are based on a research proposal and personal statement.

The grant allows Rost-Nasshan, a member of the SU ASBMB chapter, to continue her research this summer with Carter, assistant professor of biological sciences and faculty mentor. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed the previous classes I took with Dr. Carter and appreciate his teaching style so this is a wonderful opportunity,” she said. “We work well together as a team, communicate easily, and he makes research exciting.”

She will have the option to present her research at an upcoming ASBMB annual meeting.

“The great thing about SU is the hands-on experience students receive early on that so many don’t get at larger schools,” said Rost-Nasshan, a Silver Spring, MD, native. “With this award I am able to work in a dynamic and fast-paced lab, which has confirmed this is exactly what I want to do in my career.” 

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website.