Home Department: Human Biology
Mentor: Calvin Kuo (Medicine - Hematology)

“Utilizing a Novel Organoid Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier to Study Mechanisms of COVID-19 Brain Pathophysiology”

Victoria’s research focuses on studying the mechanisms of COVID-19 brain pathophysiology by utilizing a novel organoid model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB plays a crucial role in regulating the entry of substances into the central nervous system, and its disruption has been associated with neurological symptoms following COVID infection. The research objectives include characterizing the organoid model over time, identifying the specific brain cells targeted by the virus, and understanding the pathophysiology of infected organoids compared to uninfected controls.