Sarah Wedemeyer
M.D./Ph.D.Student
Biography
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.
About me
I grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, (go Pack go!) and went to a small Baptist high school where I was the only senior in my graduating class. I attended Mount Mary University, a women's liberal arts college in Milwaukee, for my undergrad. I initially majored in dietetics but switched to chemistry after I realized I was better at pipetting then chopping vegetables. After graduating I worked for two years at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in a biochemistry lab studying chemokine receptor signaling. I met my husband Mike at MCW and got engaged right before I moved to San Antonio to start the MSTP. We got married shortly after I took Step 1. We enjoy hiking around San Antonio, finding new places to get breakfast tacos, and going to TopGolf with friends.
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)
Publications
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
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