Name: Kelly Heard
Hometown: Encinitas, CA
Lab: Laboratory of Genetics of Dr. Rusty Gage
Lab website: https://gage.salk.edu/
Hobbies: Mosaic art, going to the beach
What do you study? I study depression and antidepressant resistance. Using skin cells from patients with depression, we can reprogram patient cells in the lab into pluripotent stem cells, which can become any type of cell found in the body. We use these cells to investigate the gene expression and cell biology of neurons manufacturing and responding to serotonin, as well as glia cells that support brain function.
Why is it important? Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in the country, and 30% of patients do not find relief of symptoms after treatment with antidepressants. In order to find a more effective treatment for these patients, we are working to understand the biological basis for this drug resistance. Already, we have highlighted two major phenotypes that are not addressed with antidepressant treatment, but there is more work to be done.
How did you become interested in science? In school, I loved learning about the human body because it is so relevant to my life. After learning how muscle cells function on a molecular level, I remember walking around after class thinking about all my little muscle cells working together to move my body.
What do you like about being a scientist? I like knowing that our work will lead to a better understanding of disease and hopefully lead to better treatment that will help people who are suffering. Working in a wet lab, I get to work with my hands every day and move around a lot instead of being tied to a desk. I also like planning projects and thinking about experimental design.
What are 5 general vocabulary terms someone should know going into your field of science?
Neuron, Glia, Neurotransmitter, Receptor, Synapse
What are 5 specific vocabulary terms someone should know about your research?
iPSC (Pluripotent Stem Cell), Astrocyte, Serotonin, Neuroinflammation, SSRI Antidepressant