Danielle Jones

Mary Gates Research Scholar, Winter 2022

Research Project: The Quantification of T-Cells in the Small Intestine of Mice at Various Points of Infection with Parasitic Helminths 

Project Description: After infecting the mice, at various times after infection or reinfection, I will collect small intestinal tissue, process the tissue by cutting small slices and placing on slides, and use fluorescence microscopy to quantify T-cells in the small intestine at various time points. Knowing the number of T-cells at various times after infection can help generate a hypothesis about when the rewiring of the weep and sweep pathway occurs, which may help to determine the mechanism of rewiring by giving key insights into the process of T-cell integration into the Type 2 immune response.

What have you learned throughout your research project?

I have learned to be flexible while also making sure that I am taking initiative to learn new and valuable skills that will make me a better scientist.

What piece of advice do you have for future applicants?

Find a place to work that values you and your opinions because they matter. Also, spending so much time at a place that doesn’t respect you will not be beneficial to you in the end, no matter what.