Michael O'Brien Conducted Summer Research with Wilkes University Professor Dr. Del M. Lucent

2017 Aug 17

Wilkes University student Michael O'Brien of Quakertown, Pa. (18951), is one of three Wilkes University students participating in collaborative summer research projects with professor Del M. Lucent, assistant professor of physics at Wilkes. O'Brien is a double major in physics and mechanical engineering.

O'Brien and his classmates researched two projects over the summer.

In the first project, the students are working in collaboration with Sofya Chepushtanova, assistant professor of math and computer science and Lucent. They analyzed how the mathematical concepts of shape can be applied to protein folding simulations.

Students also collaborated with Adam VanWert, associate professor of pharmaceutical science and William Terzaghi, professor of biology, and used computer simultations to understand how to transport protein functions, specifically in kidney stones.

The research on protein folding collected data that could enable treatment for numerous diseases that occur when proteins mis-fold in the human body. It has implications for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis, Type Two diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Wilkes University Biology Department

The Wilkes Biology Department was recently recognized among 42 of the top undergraduate science programs in the country with a $1 million grant from the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute. It has developed a national reputation for the ability to successfully prepare young students for advanced programs in medicine, science and other professional programs.