From the PDB to Phoenix: My Journey as an RCSB PDB Intern

01/23 

In the latest Newsletter, RCSB PDB interns describe their journey from summer research to presenting their work at ABRCMS.

Jenna and Priscilla spent the summer of 2017 at the RCSB PDB with support from an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Their work focused on exploring PDB structures related to antimicrobial resistance. Identification of these structures helps researchers understand antibiotic inactivation and drug resistance. Their insights from the summer included suggestions for how to improve the presentation of antibiotic resistance-related PDB structures on RCSB.org, and also led to the development of the 2018 RCSB PDB Calendar. Their work provided them with another opportunity: poster presentations at the 2017 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).

Their research was part of the RISE (Research Intensive Summer Experience) at Rutgers program. RISE is a nationally acclaimed summer research program for outstanding undergraduates from diverse backgrounds. Scholars participate in 10 weeks of cutting-edge research in the biological, physical, and social/ behavioral sciences, math, engineering, and exciting interdisciplinary areas under the guidance of carefully matched faculty mentors. A comprehensive professional development component, including GRE preparation, complements the research. Apply for RISE and you may wind up working with the RCSB PDB!

Jenna Abyad is currently a senior at Drew University majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Priscilla Marie Salcedo is a junior at California State University Northridge majoring in Microbiology.