Grace Hamilton watched too much Star Trek as a child and continues to be fascinated by the possibility of life beyond earth. As a protein biochemist and fungal biologist, she now explores this question by studying some of the toughest organisms on earth: polyextremotolerant fungi. How do fungi control and alter their cell shape? Is cell shape plasticity an adaptation to help them survive in extreme and changeable habitats? Can natural products produced by fungi help us address some of the most pressing challenges in human health, like the antibiotic resistance crisis and neurodegenerative disease? These are the questions that motivate research in the Hamilton Lab.
Lauren Buckminster is a current junior at High Point University, where she is majoring in Biology with aspirations of pursuing a career in dentistry. Her hometown is in Mooresville, North Carolina. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge and understanding of the world around her. When she is not studying, she enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it is taking walks with her dogs or running with friends. She also loves traveling with her family and immersing herself in different cultures.
Daniel Sapozhnikov is currently in his junior year here at High Point University. He is a biology major on a pre-dental track. He chose to work in Dr. Hamilton’s lab because he found her research with fungi and how they alter their cell shape to be very fascinating. He is part of many organizations on campus such as Natural Science fellows, Pre-Dental club, and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. In his free time, he likes going on runs and is currently in the process of teaching himself guitar.
Shauna Skow is an aspiring maxillofacial surgeon, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at High Point University on the pre-dental track. Now plagued with the question, “can life exist outside of earth?” she has teamed up with Dr. Hamilton to research polyextremotolerant fungi. Outside of the lab, Shauna loves reading romance novels, running for the HPU XC & Track and Field teams, and writing poetry.
Lily Cristini is a sophomore at High Point University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. Her goal is to graduate with a degree that will serve as a strong foundation for applying to medical school. Lily joined The Hamilton Lab at HPU with the intention of exploring whether the natural products produced by fungi can address some of the most pressing challenges in human health. Her research focuses on molecular biology, with her main contribution to the lab being the assessment of interactions using a yeast two-hybrid assay. Specifically, she is investigating whether KpAspE can directly interact with any of the canonical septins that are present in K. petricola.
Jordy Havert is currently a Biology concentrated Molecular and Biotechnology Major at High Point University with big aspirations to pursue a career in Prosthodontistry. With a deep fascination for microbiology and dentistry, Jordy is excited to be a part of Dr. Hamilton’s lab. When Jordy isn’t in the lab, you’ll find her enjoying a tennis match, crafting cozy blankets, or exploring the outdoors. Whether in the wilderness or the classroom, she is always seeking new challenges, new knowledge, and new ways to make a difference.
Tyler Janick is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology on the pre-dental track, with aspirations of becoming an orthodontist. In the Hamilton Lab he focuses on saltwater-based fungi. Outside of the lab, Tyler follows Formula One with intense passion. He regularly enjoys going to the gym, hiking inland trails, and driving toward the Carolina coast in search of salt air and open roads.
Sophia Cina is a senior at High Point University majoring in Biology on the pre-Physician Assistant track. This fall, she is excited to join Dr. Hamilton’s lab, where her research will focus on purifying chitinase for use in protoplasting. Along with her academic and research pursuits, Sophia serves as the President of the Strickland Women’s Leading and Inspiring Female Trailblazers Fellowship (LIFT), where she is passionate about building leadership and creating community among women on campus. Outside of her studies, Sophia enjoys hiking, traveling to explore new places and cultures, and painting as a creative outlet.