EWU McNair Scholar Aulane Mpouli Accepted to the University of Utah PhD Program

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Aulane Mpouli. Aulane has been accepted by the Chemistry PhD Program at the University of Utah with full funding! This is in addition to her acceptance for a PhD Chemistry program at Ohio State University. Aulane is majoring in Chemistry and plans on specializing in Analytical Chemistry. Her research interests include analytics, biological chemistry, and catalysis. Last summer Aulane was accepted into a Summer Research Program by Ohio State University, and while they were unable to continue due to COVID-19, she continued to participate in a series of online seminars provided by OSU. Additionally, Aulane completed a McNair Summer Research Internship here at EWU under the mentorshop of Dr. Yao Houndonougbo. Her research, Molecular Docking Study of ITPA Protein Substrate Complex, relates to analyzing the successful ways in which the substrate Inosine Triphosphate (ITP) binds to the enzyme Inosine Triphosphatase in order for it to perform its enzymatic function and prevent the accumulation and over concentration of ITP, an intermediate in the formation of Purines which help make up DNA. The accumulation of ITP could cause mutations in the DNA causing cancers and other detrimental effects to the body. Aulane also works as a Teacher’s Assistant for the Quantitative Analysis, BioChem for Health Sciences, and General Chemistry courses where she grades lab reports, prepares unknowns for students, and helps with calculations and clarifications.

The EWU McNair staff are so excited for Aulane and we know she'll do amazing things at whichever PhD program she decides to attend! Click here to read more about Aulane or her research.