Sofia Dahlgren
Major: Chemical Engineering, Minor in Data Science
Mentor: Elizabeth Nance, Chemical Engineering
Contact: sdahlg@uw.edu
Current Research project: N-Acetylcysteine-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles for Targeted Antioxidant Therapy in the Neonatal Ischemic Brain
Sofia is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington. Since December 2022, she has worked in the Nance lab to develop nanoparticles for drug delivery to the injured brain. Sofia is passionate about leveraging the problem-solving frameworks of engineering to address pressing challenges in human health and spearhead effective medical interventions for underserved populations. In particular, she values the opportunity for interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration in this complex, multi-faceted research space. In her free time, Sofia enjoys reading, cooking, working out with her twin sister, and tending to her many houseplants.
Translate your work so that we can all understand its importance
Newborn brain injury resulting from restricted blood flow around birth is a significant source of death and chronic disability for which there is no cure. While existing drugs hold the potential to moderate destructive cellular and molecular events following insult to the brain, delivering therapeutics to this complex organ remains a challenge. Physiological obstacles prevent most substances from entering and navigating through the brain. Furthermore, a drug must get inside of injured cells without affecting otherwise healthy cells to achieve a therapeutic effect. To overcome these challenges, I am developing a nanoparticle platform to encapsulate the drug N-acetylcysteine or NAC. Building on previous work in the Nance lab investigating drug delivery to the brain, I am engineering nanoparticles with physical and chemical properties conducive to deep brain penetration. The overarching goal of my project is to produce and probe a nanotherapeutic that leverages the potent anti-inflammatory effects of NAC as a potential treatment following injury to the developing brain.
When, how, and why did you get involved in undergraduate research?
I joined the Nance lab in the first quarter of my freshman year. As an incoming engineering undeclared student, I attended the Engineering Healthcare for the Brain lecture series hosted in Autumn 2022. Professor Nance was the second speaker. At the time, her lab was actively recruiting two undergraduate research assistants and I was fortunate to secure a position. My interests in science, engineering, and the brain began to converge in high school where I had a very influential chemistry teacher who developed Parkinson’s. This connection fueled my desire to become a chemical engineer pursuing research in neurological disease. Joining the Nance lab opened the door for me into this highly interdisciplinary field, appealing to the breadth of my interests while allowing me to dive deep into my project area.
What advice would you give a student who is considering getting involved in undergraduate research?
Approach your search process holistically. Take the time to reflect on how you see a research position aligning with your goals, values, and interests. Consider the type of impact you want to have in the world, the skills you wish to gain from the experience, and the style of mentorship that will help you be most successful. Match-fit quality will be a function of your interest level in the project and the support systems in place to facilitate your growth as a researcher. It is important to weigh both of these factors carefully before committing to a position. Also be open to casting your net wide and exploring a variety of departments. Research is increasingly interdisciplinary and chances are that you will see your interests represented across multiple fields.