Charukesi Sivakumar

Abstract: Adiponectin receptor signaling protects hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from immune system activation.
Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory factor produced by adipocytes, and is found in circulation in the body. Unpublished data from the lab has shown that adiponectin receptors R1 and R2 are expressed ubiquitously by hematopoietic cells, and is seen to promote HSC proliferation in culture and maintain HSC function. 
​It has also been shown that receptor signaling suppresses basal inflammation in steady state conditions, and restrict expression of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines. The focus of this study was on the effects that the deletion of the adiponectin receptors R1 and R2 has on the organism in context to HSCs under various physiological conditions.  
We see that adiponectin receptor signaling is important in protecting HSCs from immune system activation in the context aging through various competitive transplantation and chimerism analysis experiments. The data also suggests that R1R2 signaling is important in protecting HSCs from immune system activation with exposure to stress and injury, but further studies are needed to look at the effects on HSC function. Any evidence of further impairment of mutant stem cell function after injury suggests that those with low adiponectin levels may have hyperinflammatory response to injury and disease, and could possibly have defects in hematopoietic system function. 

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What does research mean to you? 
To me, research is a merge between creativity and science. Without a creative mind and “out of the box” thinking, there won’t be any progression in scientific research. Research gives you the opportunity to see the world through a different lens, and use that new perspective to try and find something new. It requires a huge amount of tenacity and perseverance in order to step forward into the uncharted areas of science with an idea and a list of questions. There is so much in this world that we don’t know, and research of any kind could lead to one small piece of information that can help solve the larger unknowns and better the lives of the people around us.  ​

Tell us about your journey.
​I realized that I might want to pursue research as a career my sophomore year of high school, and was awestruck by the Green Fellows program in my senior year. I joined Dr. Misra’s lab at UTD Fall 2019, and got my first taste of lab work, studying the Hippo signaling pathway. Around the same time, I was also volunteering as a research assistant at Wipe Out Kids Cancer, reading literature reviews, and discussing various cancers caused by environmental exposures. Together, these experiences began to solidify my desire for research, but I was not (and am still not) 100% sure what my primary field of interest was. I knew that the Green Fellows program would give me the opportunity to try something new at a renowned institution, and that I could not miss out on this.  

I joined the Morrison lab within the Children’s Research Institute, and have absolutely loved being at the bench and learning to navigate the ups and downs of scientific research. I had zero experience in the realm of stem cell research (or in handling mice, haha), but watching my project come together over the program duration made me feel immense satisfaction. I am continuing in the Morrison lab over the summer, and I am excited to see how my project continues to grow.  

What was your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part of the program has been interacting with all the different people in the lab, and with the other Green Fellows. I have loved working directly with my postdoc, Corbin, and being able to grow my confidence in handling my project as well as my desire to pursue a career in biomedical research. Along with that, the experience of being in such a big lab has been really interesting for me since the lab meetings are always full of so much information and I am amazed at how much is going on and how much there is to learn. The pandemic did make it difficult to meet with the other Green Fellows in person, but our biweekly calls, especially with the presence of Stu, Deb, and Erika, are all memories that made this entire experience so enjoyable. 

What was the biggest thing that you learned?
I think the biggest thing I had to learn to face was that research can be overwhelming, and is full of ups and downs. Despite knowing that research was not a smooth sailing course, I had not really grasped what it meant until after starting the program. Learning to take each day at a time was really crucial for me, but so was realizing the importance of remembering to keep in mind what the next steps are. ​

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Advice for Future Green Fellows

For those who are on the fence about research/GF program:  
I had a professor that told me “Never shy away from opportunities - always put yourself in the game and be proud of your achievements and effort.” So, my advice to you is to just apply; shoot your shot! It’s not going to hurt you in any way! Research at UTD is wonderful, but the opportunity to do full time research at an institution like UTSW is something not everyone comes across. Not having classes/assignments/tests to balance, along with other extracurriculars, gives you so much more time and energy to focus on the research you are doing. This program is a life changer in so many ways- you will either realize that research is a path that you want to pursue, or you will come out of the program feeling that there is something else that will suit you better. Either way, you will have learned something new about yourself, and that’s what is important. 

To those who have been accepted into the program: 
First off, congrats, you did it, and you deserve it!! Now to the advice: I feel like everyone here would say this, but- ASK QUESTIONS!!! No one is expecting you to know everything, and the best way to learn is to ask questions. You are here to learn and to explore something new. Take this opportunity to talk to others in your lab, attend the numerous seminars UTSW offers, and also engage with the other Green Fellows. And keep in mind that research is hard; it’s frustrating, but find people to talk to- reach out to Stu if you ever need a cheerleading session (I speak from experience). Take time to take care of yourself too- there will be several long days in the lab, so don’t lose track of your own wellbeing. 

But most of all, have fun. You’re here for 5 months, make the most of it!
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If you have ANY questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the Fellows. We’re all here for you!