Sarah Kornfeld

Fulbright/Imperial College London Award

Sarah Kornfeld graduated from Boston University with a BA in biochemistry and molecular biology. At Boston University’s Medical School, Sarah researched the largest class of cell membrane receptors, G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), in the Garcia-Marcos group. Working with this lab for three years, including three full-time summers, Sarah discovered her passion for understanding and manipulating cell signalling pathways to develop better therapeutics. Specifically, Sarah’s work in the Garcia-Marcos group culminated in a project that aimed to enhance opioid efficacy through the development of a rationally engineered G protein activity modulator. This Fulbright award will support Sarah to study key cell signalling pathways involved in women’s reproductive health through a Reproductive and Developmental Biology MSc at Imperial College London. Sarah plans to complement her background in biochemistry with coursework on the reproductive system, after which she hopes to complete a research project focused on the signalling of key GPCRs in women’s endocrinology. Outside the laboratory, Sarah hopes to engage with the broader scientific community in London through the Biochemistry Society at Imperial and through a high school mentorship program called ln2Research. She is also excited to explore London's vibrant restaurants, museums, and theatres.