Research Technician, Alesandra Rodriguez, Gives Insight into the Importance of Targeting Conserved Epitopes to Improve Influenza Vaccines

SpotlightJanuary 17, 2025
Awards
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Influenza
Penn-CEIRR
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Alesandra Rodriguez awarded ‘Best Poster Design’ for her poster at the CEIRR Annual Network Meeting 2024

Alesandra Rodriguez (middle) with her mentors Dr. Andrew Ward (right) and Dr. Julianna Han (left)

The CEIRR Network is excited to spotlight Alesandra Rodriguez, a research technician in Dr. Andrew Ward’s Lab at Scripps Research Institute, part of The University of Pennsylvania CEIRR (Penn-CEIRR). Rodriguez was awarded “Best Poster Design” at the CEIRR Annual Network Meeting 2024 for her poster titled “Structural Mapping of Polyclonal IgG Responses to HA after Influenza Virus Vaccination or Infection.” Rodriguez is motivated to study this important topic not only due to her innate curiosity but also because she “love[s] a challenge,” and having to “troubleshoot through problems [and] discover ways to optimize steps during an experiment.” 

Her award-winning poster focused on characterizing immune responses elicited not only by influenza viral infection but also seasonal vaccination, to improve vaccine efficacy, breadth, and longevity. Ultimately, her research aims to provide context for future vaccine trials and underscores the importance of careful design of vaccines to target conserved epitopes. Rodriguez also spoke about the impact that CEIRR has had on her research stating that “it’s nice to be able to reach out to different labs within the program and start new collaborations.”  

The iDPCC also asked Rodriguez to answer some thought-provoking personal questions:

1. Who/what inspired you to go into science in general?

A. I was inspired to go into research by my high school biology teacher. He was mentoring me on finding an internship as part of a graduation credit. He had recommended I apply to a lab, and I was a bit reluctant. But ultimately, I did apply and that was the only space that had accepted to host me for an internship. Within that short period of time, I learned a lot about what else science was. This influenced me with a passion to do research. I continue to be influenced by my current mentor, Julianna Han Ph.D., as she continues to push my curiosity and gives me challenges to become a better scientist.

2. What is one thing on your bucket list?

A. Something on my bucket list is to travel more. I don’t have any specific places I would like to go, just overall open to traveling anywhere.

3. What is your favorite mundane lab chore?

A. My favorite mundane lab chore is refilling soap bottles, bleach bottles, and ethanol bottles around the lab.  

4. What is your favorite lab technique?

A. My favorite lab technique is electron microscopy. There’s just something satisfying about doing all the sample prep and being able to see the particles on the grid itself.