RIRC undergraduate research stars present at UCI’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Symposium

Undergraduate researchers are an important part of our RIRC team, and two of them presented posters on their research in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Symposium on May 14. Sara Jahangiri has been working with Erin Gutilla on a study of whether it is possible to activate the AKT/mTOR pathway by electrical stimulation of the cortex. The AKT/mTOR pathway is the one activated by deleting PTEN, and the idea here is that it might be possible to enhance regeneration of cortical axons by stimulation. Walter Guerrero has been working with Zach Gallaher on a study demonstrating that deleting PTEN and another gene called SOCS3 enhances regeneration of peripheral nerve axons. Walter is graduating in June and is applying for graduate programs. Congratulations to Sara and Walter and their excellent mentors Erin Gutilla and Zach Gallaher.