Home Department: Biology
2025 Mentor: H. Craig Heller (Biology)
2026 Mentor: Ron Kopito (Biology)

2025 Research Project:“Understanding and Mitigating Heat-Induced Cognitive Impairment"

In occupations that are prone to heat-related injury, such as athletes, construction workers, and emergency responders, the risk of cognitive impairment due to heat is relatively unexplored. Colin’s research project will focus on understanding heat-induced cognitive impairment, and hether it can be mitigated using a novel cooling therapy developed by Professor H. Craig Heller. Cognitive function—specifically impulse inhibition/aggression, working memory, and complex problem solving—will be measured using a psychological toolset. Ultimately, the findings of this project can be used to improve performance and safety in the workplace.

2026 Research Project:"Investigating how knocking out MYLIP improves corrector-assisted stabilization of CFTR-F508del"

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations to the CFTR chloride channel. Although small molecule “corrector” therapies have led to improved health outcomes in people with CF, 15-20% do not benefit from them. The Kopito lab have shown that knocking out MYLIP, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets low density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) for degradation, improves the efficacy of correctors in stabilizing CFTR-F508del, the most common CF-causing variant. MYLIP does not seem to directly ubiquitinate CFTR-F508del, leading us to hypothesize that abolishing its role in cholesterol homeostasis helps stabilize CFTR-F508del. Exploring this mechanism will help us understand how we can better treat CF.