Olivia Enietan, a doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was selected to participate in the prestigious 2025 Clinical and Translational Research Summer Course organized by the National Institutes of Health.

This prestigious program offers immersive experience designed to bridge basic science discoveries with clinical applications. It brings together exceptional scientists from diverse disciplines to engage with NIH researchers, explore innovative approaches to translational research and gain valuable insights into ethical considerations and advanced methodologies shaping modern medicine.

Thirty students were accepted into the program this year, which was held from July 7-11. Participants were afforded the opportunity to meet with NIH researchers and administrators whose interest aligned with their own and an opportunity to view the proceedings of the NIH Institutional Review Board.

Under the supervision of professor Julie Stenken, Enietan's research focuses on developing a sensitive and multiplexed optical detection system that is compatible with organ-on-chip technology to support the co-culturing of biofilms and macrophages. Her current research addresses a major challenge in clinical and translational research: the difficulty of non-destructively obtaining high-resolution data from organ models, especially for studying processes such as inflammation and drug metabolism. Her work not only advances our understanding of micro physiological systems but also holds promising potential for future medical interventions.

Her selection for this NIH program is a testament to her dedication, curiosity and growing contributions to the scientific community. The exposure, mentorship and collaborations this program offers will undoubtedly enrich her journey and spark even more impactful discoveries.