Jessica Scherer
Class of 2021
Education: BS in Biomolecular Engineering at UCSC; MS in Biomedical Engineering at Cal Poly
Biography
Jessica’s passion for stem cell research first began when she attended the National Student Leadership Conference on Biotechnology in high school. She was introduced to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their therapeutic potential. The following year her dad began receiving stem cell injections at the VA for an old injury. Witnessing the improvements in his mobility fully ignited Jessica’s passion to explore stem cell research. In her undergrad, Jessica worked in a hematopoietic stem cell lab where she studied HSCs throughout fetal and neonatal development. In her master's, she wants to explore other areas of stem cell research/regenerative medicine, particularly tissue engineering, transplantation, and cellular reprogramming. Jessica hopes her experiences in the Regenerative Medicine Program will help her determine whether to pursue her PhD or continue research in the private or public sector.
Jessica was a Process Development intern at T-Cure Bioscience. Under her supervisor, Erika von Euw, and her mentor, Nicholas Davis, Jessica validated an MHC Class II-restricted T-cell receptor (TCR) against a popular cancer-testis antigen. She tested 16 potential TCR alpha and beta combinations to determine which sequence, if any, induces antitumor activity when T cells are transduced with the TCR. Jessica followed this project from beginning to end, which started with assembling engineered TCRs and proceeded through T-cell activation panels with tumor cells. If Jessica validated this TCR, T-Cure Bioscience hopes to develop a TCR therapy to help patients battle cancers that express this antigen.
