Home Department: African & African American Studies and Chemistry
Mentor: Kathleen M. Sakamoto (Pediatrics)

2024 Research Project:“Characterization of the Molecular and Hematopoietic Phenotype of a Novel Mouse Model of Diamond Blackfan Anemia”

Nico’s research project focuses on the study of Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), a disease that limits the amount of oxygen babies have access to. One gene of interest is Rpl11, a novel gene that, when mutated, shows a strong correlation with the development of DBA. Nico will research a deeper understanding of how this gene mechanistically causes DBA, directly through mouse modeling of the gene and studying DNA and blood samples through specific assays. He hopes to demonstrate more quantitative results of how this mutated gene creates DBA, which will offer insight into possible treatment solutions.

2025 Research Project:"Understanding the Inflammatory Mechanistic Cause of Diamond Blackfan Anemia in a Novel Mouse Model"

Nicholas has been able to discover a key inflammatory cytokine, IL-6, to have a significant correlation with the development of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA). This summer, Nicholas’s project will look to understand mechanistically how IL-6 is causing this disease and many other inherited bone marrow failure syndromes like DBA. Using specialized assays, Nicholas will use a novel mouse model to find more markers that could become activated by IL-6 in order to understand the pathology of how this disease develops. Through this research, the Sakamoto lab could create potential therapeutics that target the pathway they discover!