Caylie McKimens

Professional Background

I received my BA in Biochemistry from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO in 2022 where I performed undergraduate research on oxidative stress resistance and senescence in C. remanei. After undergrad, I took a gap year to hone my lab expertise in Dr. Erik Lundquist's lab at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. There we focused on the genetics of neuronal development within C. elegans. In 2023 I joined the IGPBS program at KUMC and joined the Hagenbuch lab the following year.

Research

Overview

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases with limited therapeutic options. MAFLD causes abnormal lipid and lipid droplet accumulation in the liver. The excess lipids are composed of cholesterol, which cause cell membranes to become more rigid. An overabundance of membrane rigidity may cause inhibited cellular function and, in some cases, cell death. The liver is also the main organ responsible for drug metabolism. The drugs enter the liver via transporter-mediated uptake. My project focuses on how drug transporters are impacted by this increase in cholesterol and membrane rigidity.