MacKenzie McDowell defends thesis research

MacKenzie McDowell
Zebrafish embryos

On June 24, MacKenzie McDowell defended her thesis research to a zoom audience on "Fishing for Alpha-L-Fucosidase: Evaluating Enzyme Activity and the Reproductive Role in Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Alpha-L-fucosidase is an enzyme that is generally thought to play an important role in fertilization of the egg by sperm. MacKenzie's research was the first to demonstrate the presence of alpha-L-fucosidase in zebrafish sperm, where it was associated primarily with the sperm pellet. Minimal activity of alpha-L-fucosidase was detected in egg extracts, suggesting that its role in reproduction is associated with the sperm.  Fertilization success was diminished in the presence of an inhibitor of alpha-L-fucosidase supporting the conclusion that the enzyme is involved in gamete interaction.  Check out MacKenzie's images of zebrafish embryos! MacKenzie's thesis advisor is Dr. Jennifer Venditti. Drs. William Coleman and Abby Hare-Harris served on her thesis committee. The project was supported by a Bloomsburg University Research and Scholarship mini-grant and a thesis research grant to MacKenzie. MacKenzie earned a B.S. in Biology at Bloomsburg University, where she was president of the Biology and Allied Health Science Club and a mentor in Health Science Learning Community. Mackenzie plans a career in Research and Development.  Congratulations MacKenzie!

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