The Graduate Research Fellowship in Toxicology from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. supports students involved in non-clinical, in vivo toxicology research. Fifth year Ph.D. candidate Talia M. Planas-Fontanez was chosen to be the 2019-2020 recipient of this competitive fellowship. Her research focuses on examine the effects of a small molecule and an agonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptors, 2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG), in a demyelinating animal model. The overall goal of this research is to characterize the effects of CHPG on glial cell signaling and neurotrophin responses in the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model and potentially confirm specific targets to treat Multiple Sclerosis with safe and effective medications. The Fellowship will support Talia’s research costs, stipend, and allow for personalized mentoring from expert scientists at Bristol-Myers Squibb.
