Generously funded by Drs. Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson since 2019 to encourage graduate-level phage research at the CPT, this year’s Thomas L. Patterson Graduate Fellowship goes to Frankie Antillon.
Frankie Antillon recently earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from Texas A&M University, where she conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Ryland Young. Her research centered on single-gene lysis (Sgl) systems of single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) bacteriophages, which play a crucial role in lysing host bacterial cells to release new viral particles. Frankie’s work focused on characterizing and identifying Sgl proteins that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis, providing potential insights for novel antibiotic development. Her findings, published in the Journal of Bacteriology, detail the methodologies she developed for identifying Sgl proteins from viral dark matter.
As a first-generation college graduate, Frankie has shown a strong commitment to mentoring and supporting students. In the lab, she has guided several students through their research projects, fostering their development. Beyond the lab, she has served as a Graduate Student Facilitator for the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, where she helped students with research methodologies, experimental design, and scientific communication. Frankie’s dedication to research, mentorship, and science communication underscores her passion for making scientific concepts accessible and inspiring others to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Congrats Frankie!