Photo of Stanford student and Stanford Bio-X Undergraduate Summer Research Program Participant Jennifer Vu.
2020 Undergraduate Summer Research Program Participant

Home Department: Human Biology
Mentor: Vinit Mahajan, Ophthalmology

“Utilizing Personalized Proteomics to Improve Diagnosis and Treatments for Vitreoretinal Diseases”

Proteomics, the study of large-scale protein sets expressed in a region of interest, is transforming the field of ophthalmology. With the ability to analyze a proteome in the context of specific diseases, the Mahajan lab works to better understand protein expression patterns and identify therapeutic targets for eye diseases. Jennifer’s research will use proteomics, biochemistry, and bioinformatics to explore the role of crystallins and other proteins in eye conditions, including lens-induced uveitis and infectious endophthalmitis, in the hopes of paving the way for better treatments for these diseases.