HELLO, I'M
Kristi Biswas
Microbiology Student on the pre-med track
Kristi Biswas
BS in Microbiology
University of Florida
Jacksonville, FL
About
Hello! I am a sophomore at the University of Florida working on my Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science on the pre-med track. 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 an active volunteer at the HCA Florida North Florida Hospital and the HSNCF North Campus, and an active dancer in the Genesis Dance Crew! 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 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 CRND8 project, where we are researching how sepsis influences Aβ deposition changes that can accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease in CRND8 mouse models. I conduct ELISAs, Immunohistochemistry, Thioflavin-S staining, immunoblotting, and analyses. I was also accepted into the University Scholars Program through the UF College of Medicine.
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
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
Principles of Microbiology + Lab
Experiences
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
November 2023 - Present
HCA Florida North Florida Hospital; Student Volunteer
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
Summer 2024
Teaching Assistant- Research and Creativity
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
​
Publications
Genome-wide association study of brain biochemical phenotypes reveals distinct genetic architecture of Alzheimer’s disease related proteins
Molecular Neurodegeneration- Jan. 7, 2023
​
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
Bengali
Spanish
Licenses and Certifications
-
Seal of Biliteracy- Spanish by the state of Florida
-
International Baccalaureate Diploma
-
BLS provider by American Heart Association
-
Emergency Health Responder by University of Florida
URSP Journaling
Year 1
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!