Department:
Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies, UC Merced

Faculty Adviser:
Kara McCloskey, School of Engineering

Project Title:
Using a Novel Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Line to Investigate Various Means of Controlling Vascular Fate for Therapeutic Applications

Drew is a graduate student in Dr. Kara McCloskey's lab at UC Merced. Native to Los Angeles, CA, Drew was heavily influenced to go into the sciences through dinnertime conversations with her dad and brother. She became interested in the health sciences after undergoing a spinal fusion to correct severe scoliosis at 14 and is attracted to the bench to bedside applications of research. To this end, Drew studies how vascular networks form in vitro using an embryonic stem cell line she developed. One day she hopes to develop pre-vascularized tissues that may be used therapeutically one day. In her spare time, Drew loves to visit Yosemite National Park, play with her cats, and develop her skills in fiction writing and amateur photography.