Hi everyone! My name is Alexandra Thalberg, and I am a rising junior in the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgetown University. I am majoring in Biology and I hope to add a minor in Computer Science.

This summer, I will be investigating the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in estrogen receptor ɑ (ERɑ) regulated transcription, with the goal of identifying a possible solution to tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. One in eight women develop breast cancer, and 80% of all breast cancers are ER-positive, meaning the tumor cells have receptors that bind estrogen. ERɑ plays a crucial role in the progression of breast cancer because it helps regulate the expression of multiple cancer-related genes. Recent studies have shown that some lncRNAs, which are epigenetic regulators, interact with ERa to regulate modification of RNAs and proteins. Breast cancer development has been associated with the dysregulation of lncRNAs, and although their specific mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, lncRNAs are promising therapeutic targets. I hope my project will provide insight into how lncRNAs interact with ERɑ to influence gene expression at the level of transcription, and whether lncRNA-targeting therapeutics are a viable option for cancer treatment. I also hope to explore whether targeting lncRNAs can help overcome tamoxifen resistance. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator, and though it is very effective, 20-30% of tumors develop resistance to tamoxifen. I believe that understanding the basic mechanisms of lncRNA-mediated regulation will also contribute to general knowledge about gene regulation, which can be used to investigate treatments for other diseases.

One of my main goals for this summer is to learn to effectively present ideas and findings and work on project management. I want to be proactive about consistently seeking feedback from other people in order to streamline my research question and adapt to possible obstacles in my research. I will also challenge myself to acquire new skills in data analysis and data presentation to efficiently communicate scientific information. Though not directly related to my project, I want to learn more about the relationship between basic and translational research – namely, how clinical outcomes can impact the trajectory of research, and vice versa. Building off of this, I hope to learn more about how social, economic, and cultural factors might influence research and the application of research findings.

I am honored to be a part of the Laidlaw Program and have the opportunity to grow as a researcher. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, and I can’t wait to hear about everybody else’s research!