HELLO, I'M
Kristi Biswas
Microbiology Student on the pre-med track
Kristi Biswas
BS in Microbiology
Minor in Early Childhood Studies
University of Florida
Jacksonville, FL
About
Hello! I am a Junior at the University of Florida working on my Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science with a minor in Early Childhood Studies on the pre-med track. I am in the Honors, University Research Scholars, and University Scholars Programs at UF. I have been actively involved in research at Mayo Clinic in the past and currently have research interests on proteopathies in relation to neurodegenerative diseases, and how they could be applied to create future biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the Chakrabarty Lab. I am also actively volunteering at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, HSNCF North Campus, Crisis Text Line, GiGi's Playhouse, and an active dancer in Genesis Dance Crew! I am also currently serving as the Co-Director of Workshops for CURBS and the Director of Mentor Recruitment and Training for SLAPS. In the future, I hope to become a physician with the goal of actively improving healthcare accessibility for patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Research Experiences
Research Project Title: Effect of Sepsis-Associated Peripheral Inflammation on Alzheimer's disease Tau Pathology
PI Name: Paramita Chakrabarty
Institution and Department: University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience
Amount of time affiliated with project: January 2024-present
Research Focus: I am currently working as an undergraduate research assistant in the Chakrabarty Lab. I am currently assisting in the Sepsis PS19 project, where we are researching how sepsis influences tau aggregate changes that can accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease in PS19 mouse models. I conduct ELISAs, Immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and analyses. I was also accepted into the University Scholars Program through the UF College of Medicine for this project.
Research Project Title: Findings from the Creation and Implementation of Racially Inclusive Surgical Simulation Models in Medical Education
PI Name: Morgan Yacoe
Institution and Department: University of Florida College of Arts, Department of Arts in Medicine
Amount of time affiliated with project: January 2024-April 2024
Research Focus: I presented with my group members on our project titled "Findings from the Creation and Implementation of Racially Inclusive Surgical Simulation Models in Medical Education" at the Spring 2024 Research Symposium. In our project, Morgan Yacoe created hyper-realistic suture pads to reflect a more diverse range of skin tones and led workshops with third-year UF medical school students to practice with the suture pads. Our role was coding qualitative data that was gathered through surveys from the students after the workshop.
Research Project Title: Elucidating TDP-43's Role in SYT7 Cryptic Exon Inclusion Reveals Novel Insights on ALS/FTD Pathology
PI Name: Leonard Petrucelli
Institution and Department: Mayo Clinic, Department of Neuroscience
Amount of time affiliated with project: June 2022- May 2023
Research Project Title: Associations of Genetic SNPs with AD, Neuropathology, & Gene Expression Offers Novel Insight into AD
PI Name: Nilufer Ertekin-Taner
Institution and Department: Mayo Clinic, Department of Neuroscience
Amount of time affiliated with project: June 2021-May 2022
Research Focus: Through the Mayo Clinic SPARK Program, I was a research intern for the Ertekin-Taner Lab. I found novel associations between 9 novel genetic variants discovered by the Ertekin-Taner lab with neuropathological (buildup of amyloid and tau in the brain) and biochemical (major proteins in the brain) measures with Alzheimer’s disease pathology. I gained hands-on experience with lab techniques, such as Genotyping, qPCR, and learned R-Software coding. I am also a co-author of a publication with the Ertekin-Taner lab called: “Genome-wide association study of brain biochemical phenotypes reveals distinct genetic architecture of Alzheimer’s Disease related proteins.”
Education
2023-2027
University of Florida – Gainesville, FL; Class of 2027
Major: Microbiology and Cell Sciences
Minor: Early Childhood Studies
2019-2023
Paxon School for Advanced Studies – Jacksonville, FL
Class of 2023
Class Valedictorian
2016-2023
Jathiswara School of Music and Dance – Jacksonville, FL
Bharatanatyam
Relevant Coursework
General Chemistry 1 + Lab
General Chemistry 2 + Lab
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
General Psychology
General Biology 2 + Lab
Intro to Statistics 1
Emergency Medical Responder
Organic Chemistry 1
Organic Chemistry 2 + Lab
Principles of Microbiology + Lab
Bacterial Pathogens
Python for Biology
Sociology
​Biochemistry
Physics 1 + Lab
Physics 2 + Lab
​Genetics of Microorganisms
Advanced Microbiology Lab
Virology
Experiences
March 2026
Conference Presenter; MPFI Biennial Neural Circuits in Palm Beach, FL
April 2025 - Present
Student-Led Academic Peer Study; Director of Mentor Recruitment and Training
March 2025 - Present
Crisis Text Line; Crisis Counselor Volunteer
September 2024 - Present
Center for Undergraduate Research; Ambassador
Workshops Committee; Co-Director
January 2024 - Present
Chakrabarty Lab; Undergraduate Research Assistant
January 2024 - Present
Genesis Dance Crew; Dancer
January 2024 - Present
Humane Society of North Central Florida; Student Volunteer
Summer 2024
Teaching Assistant- Research and Creativity
November 2023 - Present
HCA Florida North Florida Hospital; Student Volunteer in the Maternity and NICU units
December 2022 - January 2023
Wolfson Children's Hospital; Student Shadower
June 2022 - October 2022
Mayo Clinic SPARK Program - Student Researcher
June 2021 - October 2021
Mayo Clinic SPARK Program - Student Researcher
June 2020 - July 2020
Mayo Clinic - Student Volunteer
Awards
University Scholars Program- University of Florida College of Medicine
Honors Program- University of Florida
University Research Scholars Program (URSP)- University of Florida
Deans List (Fall 2023)
Top 300 Regeneron STS Scholar
AP Scholar- CollegeBoard
1st Place in Medicine and Health- NEFRSEF
1st Place in Medicine and Health- Florida State Science Fair
2nd Place Grand Award in Medicine and Health- Regeneron ISEF
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Publications
Genome-wide association study of brain biochemical phenotypes reveals distinct genetic architecture of Alzheimer’s disease related proteins
Molecular Neurodegeneration- Jan. 7, 2023
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Skills & Languages
Wet Lab- Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, qPCR, Genotyping, Western Blots, Hoechst Staining, HeLa Cell Cultures
Mentoring
Music- Piano
Software- Basics in Java, Python, R-Studio
Seal of Biliteracy- Spanish
English - Native Proficiency
Bengali - Native Proficiency
Spanish - Limited Working Proficiency
Licenses and Certifications
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Seal of Biliteracy- Spanish by the state of Florida
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International Baccalaureate Diploma
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BLS provider by American Heart Association
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Emergency Health Responder by University of Florida
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Crisis Counselor Certification by Crisis Text Line
URSP Journaling
Year 1- Spring 2024 Prompt
My first year at college has allowed to grow a lot through academic pursuits and meeting new people. I started off college as a biology major, and through my research in the Chakrabarty lab and my general biology class, I realized I truly enjoyed the microbiology aspect specially. I enjoyed learning about immunology and pathogens, and how their applications expand across several disciplines, which led me to change my major to Microbiology. Furthermore, through these two semesters, I was able to meet many incredible classmates and now friends! Going to GBMs and events for clubs has allowed me to work on my communication skills and learn how to network with other people in the field I was interested in. I also joined the Genesis dance group this semester to become part of a group with other students who shared a love for K-pop! I am very excited for my second year!