“I’m excited to have access to the awesome Stowers Technology Centers,” said Peña. “I want to expand my knowledge in molecular methods and become better at designing experiments and thinking both critically and independently about scientific questions I am interested in testing.”

From the University of Kansas, Anne Goebel earned a degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. As an undergraduate student, she studied how the Notch signaling pathway affects tentacle morphogenesis in the jellyfish, Podocoryna carnea. It was during this period when she realized she wanted to pursue a research career in developmental biology.

Goebel is currently investigating meiosis, the specialized cell division that gives rise to sperm and eggs, in the sea anemone, Nematostella vectensis. Her research, under the mentorship of Predoctoral Researcher Stefanie Williams in the Gibson Lab, aims to establish Nematostella as a new research organism for understanding meiosis. She will focus on the role of crucial proteins that form the synaptonemal complex, a large protein structure that facilitates chromosome pairing and recombination for proper segregation into reproductive cells. She will also work on a project observing whether temperature impacts sex ratios in sea anemones.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to gain more research experience as a Stowers Research Scholar,” said Goebel. “I want to strengthen my laboratory skills and knowledge in preparation for graduate school.”

As Peña and Goebel began their fellowships, the second class of Research Scholars, Taylor Shores and Andrea Frias Vellon, culminated their research with presentations during the Research Scholars Symposium on June 9, 2023. Shores spent her fellowship year in the Yu Lab investigating the mouse olfactory system and the role connective tissue growth factors play in olfactory map formation. Frias Vellon worked in the Gibson Lab studying venom production in Nematostella.

Following their time as Research Scholars, Frias Vellon plans to pursue a position in marine life animal husbandry, while Shores is currently working as a research assistant in the High Throughput Screening Laboratory at the University of Kansas. Shores is actively applying for graduate school programs and plans to earn her Ph.D. in biology. “My experience at the Stowers Institute was very good,” said Shores. “I feel like I have grown as a scientist and made some really great friendships.”