How research enriches the medical school experience

Federico Prokopczuk is in his fourth year as an M.D./Ph.D. trainee. A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, he graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology before joining the Heersink School of Medicine in June 2021.

Describe the research projects in which you have participated at Heersink.

I work in the lab of Carlos Orihuela, Ph.D., a professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology. My project investigates Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that can cause infections in the blood, lungs, or other parts of the body after surgery, and a filamentous bacteriophage known as Pf, and how they affect each other during chronic infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. I am looking at the ways that this bacteriophage, which is a bacterial virus, can be making Pseudomonas better at infecting people long-term. Any infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be incredibly damaging, but once the infection becomes chronic, it is incredibly hard to treat. Once this microbe gets in it does not want to leave and over time, this causes more and more complications, especially in people who are immunocompromised. Ultimately, this shortens the lives of people with the infection. If we were to better understand what Pseudomonas aeruginosa may be using to become chronic, like Pf, it could open up new ways of dealing with some of these infections.

What have you learned about your area of research and conducting research in general as a result of your research activities?

I had a background in microbiology going in, but one of the areas that has really become interesting to me is how microbes interact with each other while they are causing disease. It's fascinating to think that while we are trying to clear these infections, we may have some microbial friends that may be able to help us out.

In terms of conducting research, one of the things that has become clearer to me is that research training is more about the mindset than the techniques.

"It’s more important to think clearly about a question and approach it with the proper controls than it is to do the most wild and new methods."

How have mentors enriched your research experiences?

Dr. Orihuela has been incredible. He pushes me to be a better version of myself, and that can sometimes come with some hard conversations. There are times where I have had to come to him with bad results and that can be tough, but it's about continual growth. I also credit post-docs and other students in his lab for my mentorship.

I believe we should always be humble and teachable, and being in a good lab means being able to learn from everyone around you.

Have you published or presented your research?

I had a paper published in the journal mBio in 2023 (“Engineered Superinfective Pf Phage Prevents Dissemination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Mouse Burn Model”). I have presented at multiple national conferences, most recently at ASM (American Society for Microbiology) Microbe 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, and Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.

How would you like for research to be part of your career moving forward?

Absolutely, I envision myself being a physician-scientist studying complex infections with a clinical practice in critical care and infectious disease. I want my research to inform my practice and my practice to inform my research. I couldn't choose just one, so I've decided to commit my career to both.

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Courtney Swain is a sixth-year M.D./Ph.D. trainee. Raised in Anniston, Alabama, she graduated from the University of West Florida with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences in 2018. After completing UAB’s PREP Scholars Program in 2019, she joined the M.D./Ph.D. program In 2021, she joined the Graduate Biomedical Sciences program and the Cancer Biology theme for her Ph.D. training.

Describe the research projects you have participated in at Heersink.

I am in the lab of Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pathology and the associate director of Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer at UAB. Our lab conducts breast cancer biology and immunology research.

My research involves studying a molecular pathway called Hedgehog signaling, which has been shown to drive the growth and metastasis of breast tumors. We also study how diabetes impacts breast cancer progression.

Specifically, the focus of my project is to better understand how Hedgehog signaling and diabetes impact a type of immune cell called T lymphocytes in breast tumors.

What have you learned about your area of research and conducting research in general as a result of your research activities?

My work has led me to learn skills and technologies, such as flow cytometry and bioinformatics, that will be valuable for my future career in medicine. I’ve also learned how to think critically and independently as a scientist. Altogether, I’ve received a strong foundation in research skills that will be very essential in my future clinical and research training.

How have mentors enriched your research experiences?

Dr. Samant’s mentorship has helped me thrive as a trainee as she continually challenges me to grow as a competent and independent cancer researcher. She also helps me strategically plan every step of my project and training, providing me with a more focused and hands-on research experience.

What inspired you to pursue research as a medical student?

I sought out medical training opportunities that would also allow me to have a dedicated research curriculum, as I knew this experience will be essential for me to achieve my career goals. I started my medical school journey as part of the M.D./Ph.D. program, which allows me to integrate Ph.D. training into my medical education with the goal of developing into a physician-scientist.

I have both family and close friends that have been significantly impacted by cancer. I’ve always felt a personal tie to the work I do as I feel empowered by the legacies of those I’ve lost, while also being inspired by those who continue to fight their battle with cancer.

I’ve also had the opportunity to present my work at both local and national meetings such as the annual O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Retreat, the Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium, American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, and the APSA/AAI/ASCI Joint Annual Meeting. As I reach the end of my Ph.D. training, I am currently in the process of publishing and presenting the rest of my work in the coming months.

How would you like for research to be part of your career moving forward?

I will most definitely be continuing to pursue research opportunities in my medical career moving forward. It is my career goal to become an oncologist-scientist, a physician specialized in both cancer care and in conducting cancer research. Specifically, I would like to contribute to initiatives that will manifest into the development of new tools, technology, and resources that physicians and scientists can leverage in improving cancer care and research.