• Royce Fellowship
Michael
Fernandopulle

Concentration 

Chemical Biology

Award Year 

2013
Chemical Genetic Analysis of Mycobacterial Persistence

Faculty Sponsor: Jason Sello

Michael conducted molecular microbiology research in the Sello lab at Brown, studying a bacterial cellular structure known to be responsible for the persistence of tuberculosis. He is in the process of elucidating a molecular mechanism of persistence by identifying proteins that accumulate in a disease model. Long-term goals of the project include gaining new insights into the physiology of pathogenic microbes and identifying new drug targets for TB treatment. Since the disease exerts its most destructive effects in those areas of the world that are least equipped to provide conventional long-term therapies, his research will contribute toward the urgent global health need of developing faster-acting TB therapies.

Michael is currently an M.D./Ph.D. student at the Feinberg School of Medicine (Northwestern University) and the University of Cambridge (NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program). He is interested in using the tools of genetics and developmental biology to better understand neurodegenerative diseases and develop new therapeutic strategies.