Ayanna Lynn, a junior from Gaithersburg, Md., majoring in human ecology with a concentration in dietetics and a minor in chemistry, completed the Cyclone Scholars Summer Research Experience in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University. It was an all-expense paid internship with a stipend.
Lynn was a summer scholar in Dr. Elizabeth McNeill’s lab, where the focus is on understanding the microRNAs’ contribution to certain human disease conditions as well as the aging process. Lynn had an opportunity to investigate “The Effects of MicroRNA Deletion in Drosophila Melanogaster (i.e., fruit flies) in Relation to Diet and Neurodegeneration.” Specifically, she and other researchers in Dr. McNeill’s lab examined the role of microRNAs in longevity and the development of neurodegeneration in fruit flies that were fed a high-fat diet versus those on a normal diet. They looked at microRNAs 219 and 92 a&b. Preliminary results indicated that animals lacking microRNA 92 a&b had shorter lifespans on a high-fat diet compared to genetically wild type controls, but longer lifespans on the regular diet compared to controls. Animals without microRNA 219 lived longer on both the control and high-fat diet compared to controls. The results indicate that microRNAs play a role in the relationship between diet, longevity and neuronal health across the Drosophila lifespan.
As for what Lynn took away from the experience, she said, “Leaving your comfort zone helps you find who you are as a person.” Lynn was very grateful for the summer research opportunity at Iowa State University. She learned a lot about research methods, MicroRNAs, and fruit flies, specifically Drosophila. Lynn enjoyed her summer research experience so much that she applied for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Scholar Program at UMES. She was accepted and is currently an LSAMP Scholar conducting research in Dr. Behnam Khatabi’s lab.
Following graduation, Lynn would like to complete a dietetic internship, which is the next step after graduation to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Then she is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in nutrition. She would ultimately like to develop a program that teaches the importance of healthy foods such as a family initiative where lower-income families work together to help neighborhood friends and family eat three healthy meals a day and become a stronger community. “If the program is used correctly, it can help decrease the need for government assistance because some people use it as a crutch when it’s not needed,” she said. “I believe this does not make the individual grow and decreases hard work and motivation. Correspondingly, it makes it harder for people to receive these benefits who need it the most.”
