Karissa Williams

I am an aspiring pathology assistant with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from BYU. I have several years of experience in various biochemistry lab settings and specifically in performing histology techniques for a biochemistry research lab investigating histological effects of a protein therapy on muscles of dysferlin-deficient mice. This experience has contributed to my passion for contributing to greater scientific/medical knowledge and performing high-quality lab work to obtain reliable and meaningful results.

Van Ry Laboratories (BYU Biochemistry Department Research Lab)

• Performed daily histological and cytological techniques for analyzing the muscular tissue of over 100 mice, including dissection, tissue and organ harvesting, OCT embedding, cryostat sectioning, paraffin embedding and sectioning, tissue fixation and dehydration, IHC and H&E staining, western blotting and flow cytometry.
• Analyzed and quantified over 100 images of muscle tissue samples for data collection and analysis using ImageJ software.
• Successfully designed research experiments to contribute to the pursuit of discovery of the mechanistic function of Galectin-1.Handled and dissected around 15 laboratory mice models, and removed and processed muscle tissues for histological analysis
• Involved with proving the effects of Galectin-1 in treating the effects of dysferlin deficiency in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

I will be graduating with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Brigham Young University in December 2024. Applicable coursework has included microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biochemistry lab, biophysical chemistry, tissue biology, pathophysiology, human anatomy, advanced physiology, genetics, and organic chemistry.