Bronson Ray Weston

From Elkridge, Maryland

Previously at University of Delaware

Worked as Research Assistant at the University of Delaware and IT Technician at Genesis Healthcare

Research interest My first graduate school project involved developing an ODE model and utilizing dynamic systems theory to study how granulocyte-monocyte progenitor cells regulate expression of transcription factors in response to cytokines that induce differentiation of white blood cells. The model captured an intriguing phenotype characteristic of Monocytic-Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells. M-MDSCs have strong immune-suppressive activity and are associated with a number of cancers. I investigated my model in the context of these populations, and how cytokine signaling might be relevant to cancer immunotherapy. 

For my dissertation project, I am modeling the dimorphic cell division cycle of the freshwater bacterium, Caulobacter crescentus. This bacterium strategically orchestrates progression through its cell division cycle to produce daughter cells with two distinct phenotypes. The “stalked” cell possesses a stalk organelle and immediately enters S phase, while the “swarmer” cell wields a flagellum and enters G1 phase. This characteristic of C. crescentus growth and division improves its fitness in nutrient-limited environments. While the stalked cell remains attached to an environmental surface, the swarmer cell uses its flagellum to search for new resources. Once satisfied, the swarmer cell releases its flagellum, grows a stalk and transitions into S phase. This phenotypic behavior is the manifestation of a complex molecular mechanism consisting of protein-protein interactions, genetic regulation, proteolysis, phosphorylation, and protein localization. I am developing an ODE model of the molecular mechanism driving the C. crescentus cell cycle to explain how it adjusts to shifts in nutrients and what are the advantages of some seemingly redundant features of the molecular mechanism.

Advisor John Tyson (Biological Sciences)

Primary Track Mathematics

Secondary Tracks Computer Science, Life Sciences

Hobbies Hiking, lifting, and socializing