Student Research Spotlight: Joshua Frank (KPCOM)

Joshua Frank is a NSU alumni who is now enrolled as a graduate student in the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine where he is pursuing a PhD in the Neuroimmune Medicine and Integrative Research program. This is a new program where Joshua can explore integrative biomedical research.

 

Briefly talk me through your research journey from your 1^st day at NSU to today.

I first became interested in research while I was working as a medical scribe where I was exposed to clinical trials for spinal cord stimulators. Furthermore, I assisted an adjunct faculty at the time, Dr. Rodrigo Schmidt, in translating his research paper from Portuguese to English which further piqued my interest in research. Soon after I began my undergraduate course in genetics followed by a course in genomics the next semester. Through my genomics course, I established a relationship with my professor, Dr. Andrew Ozga, who inspired me to pursue genomics/bioinformatics and provided me with the opportunity to work as a lab assistant. As my interest in research increased, I pursued 3 independent studies with Dr. Nathanson, Dr. Beljanski, and Dr. Ozga to further expose myself to research through data analysis and coding in R and refine my interests.

 

What made you interested in the type of research you are currently working on?

As I exposed myself more and more to the laboratory setting, coupled with undergraduate courses in genetics, genomics, and cellular/molecular biology, I found that I was fully invested and fascinated by the world of genomic research, particularly as it realties to immunology and cancer. Through the cellular and molecular biology course taught by Dr. Nathanson and Dr. Beljanski, I became fascinated with the prospect of immune system modulation and understanding the genomic factors involved in this.

 

What made you decide to work with your current research mentor?

I had first heard of Dr. Lubov Nathanson’s work with RNA-seq through my genetics professor at the time, Dr. Robert Smith, as well as Dr. Rodrigo Schmidt whom I assisted in his research. This motivated me to enroll in her Cellular and Molecular biology course so that I could approach her in person to get involved in her research. As I delved deeper into said course and after enrolling in an independent study with Dr. Nathanson I was fully convinced that pursuing a PhD under her mentorship was the right choice.

 

How does this work relate to your future career goals and what do you plan to do next?

Dr. Nathanson often works with RNA-seq and analysis of RNA/DNA among other genomic techniques. As well as giving me the opportunity to learn how to use scripting languages such as R or python as well as Linux command line I can gain skills and knowledge pertinent to my future career goals of employment at a biotechnology company such as Illumina or PacBio.

 

How has NSU helped you pursue and/or achieve personal and professional goals you have set for yourself? Any specific NSU resources used that you would like to mention?

The opportunity to be a part of this PhD program alone has enabled me to accelerate my career goals in a way that would not have been possible without NSU. Furthermore, my research experiences through data analysis in independent studies and the opportunity to work as a lab assistant all were through NSU and were crucial in refining my interests as well as adequately preparing me for the challenges of graduate school.

 

What advice do you have for other students interested in getting involved in research?

In terms of advice for students getting involved in research, I would say don’t be afraid or too shy to approach your professors, talk to them and share your interests and ask questions and see if they can get you plugged in, either in their lab or a colleague’s lab. I would say do this as soon as possible and don’t think that you don’t know your professor well enough to ask or aren’t experienced enough, at the end of the day it doesn’t hurt to ask.