First Week in the Norris Lab

MIND 2025 Conference

My summer at the Norris Lab kicked off with the MIND 2025 Conference hosted by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). This event featured a full day focused on Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), setting the perfect tone for my internship. It was an inspiring intersection of research and clinical care for connective tissue disorders, bringing together patients, scientists, and healthcare providers.

The Norris Lab

My internship is hosted by the Norris Lab, an interdisciplinary team investigating the bench-to-bedside impacts of EDS. I first visited the lab for a couple of days in November 2023 as a visiting scholar, and I’m so excited to be back for a longer, more personalized experience. This summer, I’m expanding on my previous work with mast cells from the Avery Lab and exploring the immunological roles of mast cells in hypermobile EDS.

HIP 2025

The Gensemer Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Intern Program (HIP) is an 8-week summer internship focused on providing holistic support and experience to patient-scientists with EDS to study their own disease.

Getting Started

Right from the start, we were fully integrated into the lab. We were paired with mentors based on our interests and strengths. I was matched with Roman, making me what the program calls a “grand-intern” since he was in the first HIP cohort and is now back in the Norris Lab completing his MD-PhD. It’s been really nice to learn from someone who is not only passionate and knowledgeable about EDS but is also a fellow patient-scientist. From the start, I was immersed in the lab: feeding and culturing LUVA cells (immortal mast cells), activating degranulation, and running Bradford assays to optimize protein concentrations for upcoming western blots.

Making Connections

This past week has also been about making connections. I’ve never been around so many people who also have EDS, let alone living and fighting for answers despite it. From my roommates and other interns to top medical providers in the field, there’s a sense of shared purpose. It’s refreshing to be in a place where accommodations, support, and understanding are the norm rather than something you constantly have to advocate for.

Reflections on My First Week

As I settle into my role at the Norris Lab, I’m excited to dive deeper into my project and contribute to ongoing research initiatives. I’m particularly looking forward to working with Roman and the rest of the team on studies that bridge patient care and cutting-edge immunology. The emphasis on mentorship and continuous learning here is inspiring, and I can already see how this environment will shape me as a researcher and as a future healthcare professional.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on my first week, I’m grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve already received. From the MIND 2025 Conference to hands-on lab work, this summer is shaping up to be a truly transformative experience. I’m eager to keep learning, collaborating, and growing in the weeks to come.

Recent Pre-Print From the Lab

If you are interested in learning more about the lab or current work, follow this link to a recent pre-print from the lab.