Hello everyone! I’m Anvith Ramadugu, a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in molecular biology with minors in applied statistics and chemistry. This summer, I’m thrilled to be part of the Health Science Research Fellowship (HSRF) and work in the Kiselyov Lab. Under the guidance of Dr. Kirill Kiselyov, my research focuses on understanding how cancer cells evade detection by our immune system. By uncovering these mechanisms, we aim to enhance targeted cancer therapies.

Beyond the laboratory, my goal is to pursue a career in medicine. I plan to enter medical school after completing my senior year, with a keen interest in fields such as oncology, nephrology, and cardiology. I aspire to bridge my laboratory experiences with clinical research, aiming to contribute to advancements in patient care both during medical school and as a future physician.

Collaboration is central to research, and participating in HSRF exposes me to diverse perspectives and insights. I value the opportunity to exchange ideas with individuals from various backgrounds, as it enriches my research with fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.

My research specifically focuses on how modulating lysosomes, the organelles in our cells that degrade and transport molecules, can manipulate how cancer cells are detected by immune cells like T cells. Cancer cells are known to escape an attack from T cells by presenting a ligand called PD-L1 on their surface. This ligand binds to PD-1, a receptor found on T cells. Once PD-L1 and PD-1 bind, the T cell can no longer attack the cancer cell, allowing the cancerous cells to escape immunosuppression. A key regulator in how PD-L1 ligands emerge on the surface of cancer cells is lysosomes, specifically in a process called lysosomal exocytosis. My goal is to use techniques like confocal imaging, flow cytometry, and western blotting to uncover the exact mechanism of how lysosomes can degrade, transport, and recycle these PD-L1 ligands in cancer cells.