Sep 02, 2025

Grad Students to participate in Core Facilities internships

Two chemistry grad students will participate in novel internships in Core Facilities this fall, supported by the Huck and the Materials Research Institute.

Chemistry graduate students Amanda Gramm (L) and Jessica Thompson (R) will participate in internships with Huck Institutes Core Facilities Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Jessica Thompson, advised by Danielle Reifsnyder Hickey, will work with the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility, jointly supported by Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and The Materials Research Institute's Materials Characterization Lab. Amanda Gramm, a member of Ganesh Anand’s lab, will work with the Huck’s Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility.

“These are advanced grad students who have passed their comprehensive exam and have a close working relationship with the core facilities,” said Craig Praul, director of Core Facilities at the Huck. “They will spend 20 hours per week working in the core. They will gain additional experience in that core's technology and applications while supporting the core by working on projects other than their own research.”

Thompson has previous experience with cryo-electron microscopy through her doctoral program. Her research collaborations include a project with Ibrahim Ozbolat, Huck Chair in 3D Bioprinting and Regenerative Medicine, which investigated viral particles inside bioprinted lung cells.

“My thesis topic is about the structure-property relationship of thin films and other materials determined by atomic-resolution imaging on the transmission electron microscope (TEM),” Thompson said. “This internship builds on my thesis work by leveraging my expertise on the focused ion beam, which is a tool commonly used to make electron-transparent samples for TEM analysis. Through this work, I hope to gain a broader understanding of how cryo-EM can answer questions in the biological community and beyond.”

Gramm’s research focuses on using structural mass spectrometry to investigate the dynamics of viral proteins, meaning she comes into her internship with valuable experience. She expects to contribute to the core’s day-to-day business while rounding out her skillset.

“While I have not yet conducted proteomics-specific projects, I bring strong experience in both bottom-up and top-down mass spectrometry,” said Gramm. “These skills are directly applicable to proteomics and will allow me to adapt quickly and contribute meaningfully in the facility.”

“I hope to both contribute to and learn from the proteomics core. Professionally, I want to expand my expertise beyond structural virology by gaining hands-on experience with proteomics workflows. Personally, I’m excited to bring a fresh perspective, drawing on my background in LC/MS (Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) of whole viral particles and large proteins, and to grow as a well-rounded mass spectrometrist.”