La Mesa Student Jerrell Tisnado Receives Coveted Harvard University Slot

Jerrell Tisnado, a La Mesa resident and San Diego State University senior, has received a significant honor – he is part of the 2013 Harvard Stem Cell Institute Internship Program. 

Tisnado has been part of the 10-week program, which concludes Aug. 16, working in the Children’s Hospital Boston laboratory with a researcher known for his study RNA in the function of genes. 

Tisnado is one of 44 interns selecting for the program. His project while interning at the Harvard institute –“to identify connections between PIWI proteins and transfer RNA in stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency, the ability of a stem cell to divide into many different cell types,” according to the university.

Whew. What does all that mean for treatments? Let Tisnado explain a bit. 

“Like many others, my interest in the stem cell field spawns from its massive therapeutic potential. So whatever specific area of study I choose, I hope I’m fearless in its pursuit and that ultimately my work will translate from the bench to the bedside,” he said in a news release.  

After lab work and weekly stem cell study, Tisnado and the other interns will offer their findings at a symposium. 

“This program represents an exciting opportunity for undergraduates to gain hands-on experience in stem cell research while working in an HSCI laboratory under the supervision of an experienced researcher,” said HSCI Internship Program director M. William Lensch, PhD, in the release.