Sarah Wedemeyer
M.D./Ph.D. Student
Sarah is a graduate student in the South Texas Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD Program) under the mentorship of Ann Griffith, PhD. Her previous research experience is in the field of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, where she studied the signaling mechanisms of CXCR4 and CXCR5, two chemokine receptors implicated in many cancers. Her current research focuses on investigating the role of paracrine mTOR signaling in the thymus and the effects of aging on thymic stromal architecture and T cell immunity. She is currently interested in pursuing residency in pediatrics and medical genetics.
Hobbies/Interests
Classic sitcoms, jazz music, baking, pilates
Research Topic
Changes in immune function during aging
Why I chose MD/PhD
I chose MD/PhD training because I want to become a leader in both medicine and science to advance the field of immunology. I want to not only care for patients with chronic disease, but also bring new therapies forward to improve their quality of life.
Post-bac work or other affiliations
Research Technologist at the Medical College of Wisconsin (2017-2019)
Education
B.S., Chemistry, Mount Mary University, 2017
Awards
Anthony S. Wu Outstanding Chemistry Student Award, Mount Mary University, 2016
2022-2023 T32 Graduate Research in Immunology Program (GRIP) Scholar - T32 AI138944
2023 Trainee Abstract Award, American Association of Immunology, Immunology2023, Washington, D.C.
Publications
Semwal, M. K., Hester, A. K., Xiao, Y., Udeaja, C., Cepeda, S., Verschelde, J. S., II, Jones, N., Wedemeyer, S. A., Emtage, S., Wimberly, K., & Griffith, A. V. (2022). Redox status regulates autophagy in thymic stromal cells and promotes T cell tolerance. In Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Vol. 119, Issue 40). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204296119
Wedemeyer, M., Mahn, S., Getschman, A., Crawford, K., Peterson, F., Marchese, A., McCorvy, J., & Volkman, B. (2020). The chemokine X-factor: Structure-function analysis of the CXC motif at CXCR4 and ACKR3. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 295(40), 13927-13939. https://doi.10.1074/jbc.RA120.014244
Caballero, A., Mahn, S., Ali, M., Rogers, M., Marchese, A. (2019). Heterologous regulation of CXCR4 lysosomal trafficking. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 294(20), 8023-8036. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA118.005991
English, E., Mahn, S., Marchese, A. (2018). Endocytosis is required for CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4)-mediated Akt activation and antiapoptotic signaling. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 293(29), 11470-11480. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA118.001872