Vienna Huso
Ribosomes translate mRNA into protein in all cells. Regulation of this fundamental process, known as translation, is both essential for life and underlies diverse cellular programs from development to metabolism to aging. My thesis studies in Dr. Rachel Green’s lab focused on characterizing the kinase ZAK, which binds to collided ribosomes under stress conditions and activates downstream signaling processes within the cell. This work expands our understanding of the ribosome (beyond simply translating proteins). It establishes an additional key role of the ribosome as a regulator of cell-signaling pathways by direct interaction with kinases
Questions & Answers
Why did you choose Johns Hopkins for your work?
The collegial scientific community drew me to Johns Hopkins.
What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally? Do you have any connection with the particular award you received?
Dr. Talalay’s research career and contributions to the chemoprotectant and cancer fields have been inspiring to read about. Receiving the Paul Talalay Research Award encourages me to continue scientific pursuits with excellence, perseverance and collegiality — exemplified by Dr. Talalay.
What contributed to your project’s success? (Special skills, interests, opportunities, guidance, etc.)
Previous work from the lab laid a clear foundation for this project. Dr. Green provided tremendous and unwavering support as well as insightful guidance throughout its duration, and many smart, talented and encouraging Green lab members contributed to its success as well. This project would also not have been possible without an important collaboration with the lab of Dr. Roland Beckmann and specifically Shuangshuang Niu, a cryo-EM graduate student in the Beckmann lab.
What thoughts do you have about Young Investigators’ Day itself, as a celebration of the roles students and fellows play in research at Johns Hopkins?
I admire the generosity of the families who honor their loved ones by celebrating and encouraging the newest generation of scientists. This thoughtful investment amplifies the research community here at Johns Hopkins and marks a unique commitment to trainees — past, present and future.
What has been your best/most memorable experience while at Johns Hopkins?
When the Green lab celebrated its 25th anniversary a couple years ago, almost every single alumni returned for a weekend of celebration. This gave me the special opportunity to meet the many people who contributed to the research foundation of the lab and my Ph.D. studies. and match the names that I would often read on lab notebooks, freezer racks and data files to the actual people. It was a very fun, memorable weekend.
What are your plans over the next year or so? Graduating, looking for faculty positions, etc.?
I intend to defend my thesis and graduate from the BCMB Program this summer. I am considering various research opportunities as I transition to my next step.
Tell me something interesting about yourself that makes you unique. Do you have any special hobbies, interests or life experiences?
I will always carry a piece of my Ph.D. with me. While doing tissue culture one evening, a shard of glass from a broken Pasteur pipette embedded in my thumb and shattered. Thanks to valiant efforts from the Hopkins emergency department and orthopaedic surgery, 95% of the glass shards were successfully removed.