Biochemistry, mathematics and molecular biology students win 2021 Goldwater awards for research excellence

Taking part in high-impact undergraduate research

Employing interdisciplinary research methods, Gemmill probes the mysteries of protein-based molecular motors called kinesins in the lab of biophysics Associate Professor Weihong Qiu. Kinesins interact with microtubules (dynamic tubes that provide structure and shape to cells) within cells and play an indispensable role in facilitating transport and force to sustain human life by converting chemical energy into mechanical energy. Gemmill’s research builds on ongoing research in the Qiu Lab on the distinctive properties of kinesin-14s that move and bind differently to microtubules from other kinesins.

"I chose the advanced biophysics option for my biochemistry degree and the mathematical biology option for my mathematics degree, which complement each other well as they both apply rigorous analytical methods to biological systems.”— Emily Gemmill

Introduced to molecular motors in a high school biology class, Gemmill’s fascination with the subject deepened as she learned more about their significance and functions in the Qiu Lab. She is currently investigating the regulatory mechanism of a kinesin-14 motor to better understand the factors governing its motility and it’s interactions with other proteins that affect kinesin-14’s movement.

Gemmill transferred to OSU from Portland Community College where she was a student in the honors program. There she was awarded an Oregon Space Grant Consortium research fellowship to support her work on developing a mathematics fluid-based model on mitigating traffic flow in Portland. At OSU, Gemmill was able to pursue ambitious research goals with the help of a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE Science) scholarship and an Undergraduate Research in the Sciences and Arts (URSA) Engage grant.

After graduation, Gemmill plans to work toward a research career at the intersection of mathematics and biophysics. “I am earning degrees in both biochemistry & biophysics and mathematics, leading to a wide range of interdisciplinary knowledge,” said Gemmill. “Additionally, I chose the advanced biophysics option for my biochemistry degree and the mathematical biology option for my mathematics degree, which complement each other well as they both apply rigorous analytical methods to biological systems.”

Pratt studies RNA secondary structural features called hairpin loops with a wide variety of functions, primary among them being the potential to arrest disease-associated genes, in the lab of David Hendrix, an associate professor of biochemistry and biophysics and computer science. Through bioinformatics experiments utilizing specific algorithms and data sequencing, Pratt investigates the properties and defining characteristics of a little-known subset of RNA hairpins called unbreakable hairpins for a better understanding of their potential and biological significance in the human body.

“Once I met supportive mentors, I realized that innate computer skills didn’t exist and that I could pursue my interests in computer science as well as molecular biology, which inspired me to focus on computational biology.” — Alyssa Pratt

Pratt has also undertaken summer research at Portland State University, where she used optimization methods and computational analysis to search for specific secondary DNA structures in the context of cruciviruses (viral family containing components from both RNA and DNA viruses).

An exceptional student, Pratt is a Presidential Scholar at OSU, and received a number of prestigious awards in high school including a National Merit Scholarship and a National AP Scholarship. She is also a recipient of Oregon State’s URSA Engage Award.

Pratt hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in computational biology after graduation, combining her interests in molecular biology and computer science. In her application, Pratt writes that throughout her school years she thought she “didn’t have the innate computer skills that it seemed my male peers possessed." With effective guidance and mentorship, Pratt began to pursue substantive computational research projects. “Once I met supportive mentors, I realized that innate computer skills didn’t exist and that I could pursue my interests in computer science as well as molecular biology, which inspired me to focus on computational biology.”

Inspired by her own experiences of overcoming bias in a STEM field, Pratt works for the Precollege Programs at OSU as a media assistant, and is involved in a wide range of youth outreach activities designed to increase college access and academic preparation for Oregon’s youth.

The Goldwater Scholarship is administered at Oregon State University through LeAnn Adam, OSU Advisor for the National and Global Scholarships Advising and the OSU campus representative for the Goldwater scholarship.