BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
15
JULY
2014
Student Spotlight
LAURA K. GUNTHER
Wayne State University
Takeshi Sakamoto Lab
Suggest a
Student or
Postdoc to
Spotlight
Do you have a
spotlight-worthy
student or postdoc
in your lab? Send
his/her name to
.
Q:
What initially attracted you to biophysics?
When I was an undergraduate student in the bio-
medical physics program at my university, I was
excited to participate in the interdisciplinary re-
search offered, such as in vitro studies and studies
of the mechanical function of skeletal and cardiac
muscle. Since I am very interested in both physics
and biology, I was excited to be able to bridge the
two subjects that I loved.
Q:
What specific areas are you studying?
My doctoral studies have focused on studying the
effect of the N-terminal of cardiac troponin I on
the actomyosin ATPase cycle. I am also study-
ing an intrinsically disordered protein known
as TRIOBP as well as the mechanism by which
the nonprocessive molecular motor, myosin 5c,
becomes processive.
Q:
What is your current research project?
Currently, I am measuring the detailed steps
of the actomyosin ATPase cycle (ATP binding,
phosphate dissociation, ADP dissociation, etc.) in
myofibrils obtained from transgenic mouse hearts
by using stopped flowmetry.
Q:
What do you hope to do
after graduation?
I plan to pursue a postdoctoral position. I believe
it is incredibly important to undertake a postdoc-
toral position in order to gain additional expertise,
experience, and productivity before commencing
a career as an independent investigator. After suf-
ficient years as a postdoctoral fellow, I intend on
pursuing a faculty appointment in academia.
Q:
If you could give one piece of advice to
someone just starting their undergraduate
science career, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid of hard work and don’t ever hesi-
tate to ask for help if you need it. Your professors
have a passion for the subject matter they teach,
and want nothing more than to see you succeed.
Q:
Why did you join the Biophysical Society?
I joined the Biophysical Society to stay connected
with the most recent developments in the bio-
physics world. In addition, BPS offers multiple
opportunities to reach out to other biophysicists
at the Annual Meeting and to share our scientific
research through its publications.
Q:
What (or who) inspires you scientifically?
My unquenched curiosity and love for learning is
what inspires me scientifically. As a physicist, I al-
ways ask ‘why?’ and always have an urge to answer
the question at mind.
Takeshi Sakamoto, Laura’s PI says:
Laura is a student in my lab who is extremely
passionate about her work and her projects. Her
determination and self-motivation allows for her
to persevere through anything she sets her mind to.
She has a first author paper that just came out in
"Nature Scientific Reports" and is third and
fourth author on two others. I think she is a very
good role model and is always willing to explore
something new.
