Left to Right: Jessica Yi, Bruce Branchini, Audrey Davis, Justin Rosenberg, Rebecca LaFleur, Danielle Ablamsky, Tara Southworth. Missing from photo: Kelsey Taylor and Sam Linder

The Bioluminescence Research Group at Connecticut College is under the direction of Professor Bruce Branchini in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Branchini has actively directed undergraduate research projects for 32 years. Of the 85 participating undergraduate students, 70% are women and ~10% are from traditionally underrepresented groups. Approximately 70% of the graduated participants entered graduate or professional school and many are now professional scientists, physicians engaged in research and academics. For more information on diversity on campus visit Unity House and the Science Leaders News Story.

The 2007 Bioluminescence Research Group at a Red Sox game	The 2008 Bioluminescence Research Group at a Red Sox game

Faculty and students from the Connecticut College chemistry department spend the day at Trinity meeting the school's summer research students. From left to right: Audrey Davis, Xin Li, Alec Keon, and Julie Rosenman.

Students from Connecticut College or from other institutions who are interested in summer research are encouraged to contact Professor Branchini.

Bruce Branchini, Ph.D.
Hans and Ella McCollum '21 Vahlteich Professor of Chemistry

Tara Southworth, B.S., Research Technician
I received a B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Connecticut in 1996. I then received a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences. I have previous experience in solid tumor research, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics. My current research focuses on examining a proposed domain rotation of luciferase through site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence studies. Outside of the lab, I enjoy walking my dog, reading, and spending time with my two sons.

Danielle Ablamsky, M.A., Research Technician
I earned my B.A. in Molecular Biology from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania in 1999 and my M.A. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Boston University in 2002. I was a laboratory instructor for basic biology labs as well as anatomy and physiology lab coordinator while at Boston University. My current research focuses on site-directed and random mutagenesis of firefly luciferase. Presently, our lab has developed a thermostable red- and blue- shifted version of firefly luciferase. Outside of lab I enjoy reading, being outdoors and sports.

Justin Rosenberg, B.A., Research Technician
I graduated from Connecticut College in 2007 with a major in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB). The BCMB program allowed me to perfectly blend my interests in both chemistry and biology. As an undergraduate I performed research under Professor Marc Zimmer, studying firefly luciferase through computational modeling and analysis. Current research involves studying firefly luciferase domain rotation, designing single-Cys and single-Trp mutants, and measuring thermostability of enzymes with introduced electrostatic interactions. Outside of lab I like to spend time at the beach, swimming, fishing, and boating, playing lacrosse, and sculpting.

Audrey Davis, BA, Research Technician
I graduated from Connecticut College in May 2009 with a major in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology (BCMB) major and a minor in Religious Studies. I joined the Bioluminescence Research Group in the spring semester of 2007, and shortly thereafter traveled to Italy to perform collaborative research with graduate students at the University of Bologna. In subsequent years I presented two posters at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), and completed an honors thesis titled “Improved Red-emitting Firefly Luciferase Mutant for Biotechnical Applications.” Soon I will be taking a brief hiatus from science while I teach English in Japan with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) for a year. So lately my free time has been spent trying to learn Japanese, honing my karaoke skills, and selling all of my things on ebay.

Rebecca LaFleur, BS, Research Technician
I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2008 with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate I performed research focusing on cellular motility and the cytoskeleton. My current scientific work involves creating and characterizing mutant firefly luciferases. This fall I will be pursuing a DVM degree at the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine. During my free time I enjoy hiking, skiing and car living in the deserts of southern California.

Kelsey Taylor, '11, Undergraduate Research Student
I am a member of the Class of 2011, majoring in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology and minoring in Psychology. I joined the Bioluminescense Research Group during the second semester of my freshman year and have continued to work over the summers (2008,2009) and academic years. I traveled to Italy and witnessed collaborative research done at the University of Bologna in March 2009, and more recently traveled to Missoula, Montana in April 2010 where I presented the results of an independent study project entitled "Firefly Luciferase-RFP Fusion Proteins for BRET-FRET-based Protease Assays" with partner Sam Linder. During the summer of 2009 I worked at the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute in Buffalo, NY in collaborator Dr. Andrew Gulick's lab where I learned x-ray crystallography and prepared crystals of luciferase mutants. This summer of 2010, I am interning at Harvard Medical School with the Summer Harvard Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) and conducting research on the transport of mitochondria in neurons in Dr. Tom Schwarz's lab. I am using various molecular biology techniques in addition to conducting live imaging studies with fluorescent proteins. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the lab and am looking forward to conducting my senior honors thesis this coming year. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running as a member of the Conn Cross Country and Track Teams. Following graduation, I plan to attend graduate school for a PhD in Biochemistry or Neuroscience.

Kelsey Taylor was awarded a Goldwater Scholarship in 2010.
http://aspen.conncoll.edu/news/6150.cfm

Samantha Linder, ’11, Undergraduate Research Student
I am a Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology major (BCMB) and I began working in Dr. Branchini’s lab the first semester of my freshman year. In the spring of 2009 Kelsey Taylor and I had the opportunity to travel to Italy, where we visited Dr. Roda's lab in Bologna. Here we observed our lab’s human-codon optimized luciferase being used to trace cancerous tumors in mice. In the spring of 2010 Kelsey and I presented our independent study research, “Firefly Luciferase-RFP Fusion Protein for BRET-FRET-based Protease assays,” at National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Missoula, Montana. While there we met many more driven undergraduate students presenting their own work—it was an amazing experience. For the summer of 2010 I will be spending my CELS internship in the Nutrition and Food Science department at Auburn University, under the guidance of Dr. Doug White. We are researching the effects of leptin on obesity and diabetes using rat models. The answer to this question could possibly offer a new means to treating type 1 diabetes in humans. I love the lab environment, along with the great people that work in it. I also enjoy cooking, and writing/performing music. I am a member of MOBROC (Musicians Organized for Band Rights On Campus), and perform at various shows on-campus. My hopes are to attend graduate school and pursue the study of dietetics/food science. Or become a rock star.

Ha Eun Jessica Yi '12
I'm a Chemistry major, and I joined Dr. Branchini's research group the summer of 2010. I'm excited to be part of the lab. I worked with Dr. Lewis last summer, and I will be presenting the findings at the end of this summer in Boston. I am planning to attend graduate school in the future and continue researching. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, cooking, reading, and crafting . I'm also a member of CISLA (Toor Cummings Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts), and I'm planning to study and intern abroad in my junior year, hopefully in a Spanish speaking country.

Summer 2009

Members of the BRG, 2009: (Left to Right) Kelsey Taylor, Danielle Ablamsky, Justin Rosenberg, Rebecca LaFleur, Tara Southworth, Bruce Branchini, Audrey Davis, Paul McCarthy, Anna Bianchini

Summer 2008

Members of the BRG, 2008: (From left to right) Justin Rosenberg, Canissa Grant, Danielle Ablamsky, Kelsey Taylor, Bruce Branchini, Audrey Davis, Tara Southworth, and Samantha Linder.

Summer 2006

(From left to right) Bruce Branchini, Julie Rosenman, Lerna Uzasci, Tara Southworth, Beto Zuniga, Sloan Devlin, and Danielle Ablamsky.

Summer 2005

(From left to right) Tara Southworth, Martha Murtiashaw, Danielle Ablamsky, Bruce Branchini, Lerna Uzasci, Hugo Fraga, Jennifer DeAngelis and Adrian Idrizi.

Summer 2004

(From left to right) Chen Jiang, Susan Gonzalez, Bruce Branchini, Martha Murtiashaw, Tara Southworth, Neelum Khattak, Emily Mygatt and Elisa Michelini.

Summer 2002

(From left to right) Sara Wilkinson, Maria Ruggiero, Susan Gonzalez, Jill Carmody, Bruce Branchini, Martha Murtiashaw, Neelum Khattak and Tara Southworth.