A photo of a woman standing to the right of a research poster. She has her hands in front of her, and they are forming the shape of a heart.
Christa Mathieu, a VCU senior, worked in a research lab during her internship this summer through the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Research Diversity Program. (Photo courtesy of Christa Mathieu)

Aug. 28, 2024

Christa Mathieu’s research-based internship strengthened her interest in health care

The VCU senior, who is majoring in health services, worked in a lab at the University of Pittsburgh this summer as part of her pursuit of a career in dentistry.

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By Joan Tupponce

Christa Mathieu didn’t anticipate the steep learning curve she would face during her summer internship in the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Research Diversity Program at the University of Pittsburgh, but she was happy for the challenge.

Mathieu, a senior majoring in health services in the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions, worked in the lab of Mark E. Snyder, M.D., whose research principally focuses on pulmonary fibrosis and lung transplant rejection. The work was new to her, and she found that there was a great deal to learn and understand during her 10 weeks in the program.

The lab primarily conducts translational research using human tissue, with some collaborations involving mouse models. Mathieu worked with post-doctorate Jetina Okereke on her T cell and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis project.

“There was a lot of information to crunch,” Mathieu said.

During the internship, Mathieu had the opportunity to familiarize herself with the lab environment and observe various procedures.

“I got to see a small sample of a healthy lung compared to the lung of someone who had been smoking or had hereditary issues in the past,” she said. “I also got to observe imaging of the lung in test scans.”

She helped in the lab with techniques such as flow cytometry to analyze characteristics of cells or particles and immunofluorescence imaging where fluorescent dyes are applied to biopsy samples before they are studied under a microscope.

“I enjoyed the imaging process, seeing different pictures using dyes that show where there were particles,” she said, adding her biggest challenge was “doing an experiment over and over to get the best result.”

Mathieu discovered the PURDIP internship after researching internships that “cater to people of color,” she said.

PURDIP is open to minority (African American, Hispanic/Latino American or Native American) undergraduate students interested in biomedical research. Mathieu received support from VCU’s Internship Funding Program, which offers awards that help students defray the expenses associated with summer internships.

Mathieu, who is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, came to VCU for the university’s health services major as well as a “diverse and inclusive community,” she said.

Her ultimate goal is to attend dental school at VCU. Her interest in dentistry began when she was young and grew after she worked as a front desk assistant in the dental office of one of her friend’s mothers.

“I used to watch orthodontic YouTube videos. I was always trying to get more knowledge about health care, and I would see other people who are involved in health care,” she said. “That made me want to get into health services.”

Her advisor at VCU, Jasmin Reynolds, Ph.D., in the College of Health Professions, has been helping her plan out her future goals.

“I want to get a master’s degree in health administration first and then go to dental school,” Mathieu said. “I want to help my community as much as possible.”