Who: Gabrielle Abbott ’15
The Basics: “Lots of chemists go after the big stuff,” says Abbott. “I’m doing the opposite.” A recent biochemistry grad, Abbott is working at the molecular level to help stop cancer from spreading. By building a drug one atom a time, Abbott hopes to create a treatment that binds to DNA, essentially blocking cancer molecules in individuals who are predisposed to the disease. The drug could be crucial in helping patients halt the progression of some of the fastest-growing cancers.
Next Steps: With Abbott planning to attend graduate school at the University of Oklahoma, she left her research in very capable hands. “[Chemistry professor Daniel Barr] has all the work from my computer, so another student can pick up where I left off,” she says. And while the decision to pass on her work wasn’t easy, Abbott believes that’s what science is all about. “Science is collaborative,” she says. “No one scientist is going to cure cancer. We all have to build off each other’s work.” Not to mention that Abbott’s accomplishments are impressive in their own right: She’s had her research published in two respected journals.
Why It Matters: As a kid, Abbott dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. Watching her mother’s struggle with Multiple Sclerosis—which involved dozens of prescription medications—turned her attention to the world of drug research. “I’ve seen the connection between drug and patient,” says Abbott, who realized chemistry was a better fit as a student at UC. “Even though I’m not the one dealing directly with the patient, I’m helping people. It’s another side of the same coin.”
For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.