PROVIDES Scholar in HIF1a
Jasmine Burrell, Ph.D.
PROVIDES Scholar
Mentor: Rana Gupta, Ph.D.
City Born In: Vicksburg, Miss.
City Grew Up In: Shreveport, La.
How did you become interested in science and/or research specifically?
I have always been a very curious individual, but I became interested in research as an undergraduate student at Alcorn State University. I had been recruited by one of my professors who said that they thought I had a knack for research. She introduced me to the laboratory atmosphere and allowed me to work on a research project with a graduate student. At that point, I was hooked. Because of my fascination with research, she motivated me to do research based summer internships and allowed me to carry out a research project in her lab for the next three years.
Tell us about your research project and its relevance to human health.
My current research project focuses on determining the role of HIF1a (hypoxia inducible factor) signaling in adipose tissue remodeling in obesity and identify HIF1a-dependent signaling mechanisms leading to the inhibition of PPARγ (the master regulator of adipogenesis) activity and suppression of adipocyte hyperplasia in obesity.
Have you received any awards or fellowships during your scientific career, including high school, undergraduate, and graduate school?
2020 Keystone Travel Scholar
2016 Huel Perkins Diversity Fellow
2014 Louis Stokes Mississippi Association for Minority Participants (LSMAMP) Fellow
2012 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges Initiate
2010 Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Society Initiate
2010 Beta Beta Beta Biological Sciences Honors Society Initiate
2010 Alpha Kappa Mu Honors Society Initiate
2008 Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society Initiate
Why did you choose to come to UT Southwestern for graduate school?
I chose to attend UT Southwestern for my postdoctoral training because the Touchstone Diabetes Center has produced some of the most groundbreaking and relevant publications in my field of study. Not only that, the ability to train alongside amazing researchers that continue to drive the field forward is an opportunity that I could not pass up. The access to the various core facilities within the Center is also amazing!
In your opinion, what makes your specific program one of the top in the country?
I think that one of the major contributing factors to my program being one of the top in the country is the people. It’s more of a village. From the highest ranking to lowest ranking individuals in my program, they all rally together to train, teach, and learn. With that, I feel that I am able to freely ask about uncertainties and become a well rounded scientist.
– Jasmine Burrell, Ph.D., PROVIDES Scholar
