Aditya Anandakumar

• Assisted pathologist in observing specimen processing, conducting histopathology review, and understanding pathology's impact on clinical decision-making.

• Investigated the role of soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) in melanocyte function by analyzing eumelanin production in DCT-positive hair bulbs from sAC wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) mouse models. Applied brightfield microscopy to assess pigment accumulation and DCT immunofluorescence to identify melanocyte-containing hair bulbs. Classified hair bulbs into four pigmentation levels (no, low, mid, high eumelanin) and performed quantitative comparisons between sAC WT and sAC KO samples. Results demonstrated altered eumelanin distribution with increased pigmentation in sAC KO hair bulbs, supporting a regulatory role for sAC in melanocyte activity and pigment synthesis. Data from this project will be included in a collaborative, peer-reviewed publication currently in preparation.
• Designed and executed an immunohistochemistry-based study to investigate the role of GNAS in melanocyte function. Performed cryosectioning, antibody staining, and fluorescence microscopy to quantify p-CREB expression as an indirect marker of GNAS activity in GNAS knockout and wild-type mouse models. Conducted statistical analysis, including ANOVA, to validate findings, which demonstrated a significant reduction in p-CREB levels in knockout samples. These results contribute to understanding MC1R pathway regulation and developing potential therapeutic strategies for pigmentation disorders such as albinism.

Volunteered in the Emergency Department:

• Assisted in the care of acutely ill and injured children by supporting Emergency Department staff.
• Responsibilities included escorting patients and families to treatment rooms, transporting specimens for testing, filling up storage areas, and providing companionship and comfort to patients awaiting medical attention.

Volunteered as a Greeter:

• Served as a Greeter, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for patients, families, and visitors. Assisted with directions and hospital navigation, ensuring guests found their way efficiently and comfortably.
• Trained new volunteers for the Greeter position per request to the volunteer coordinator.