Date Joined Lab
August 2025

Background and Interests

I am a 2nd year undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience with minors in Biology and Chemistry. As a member of the Nackley Lab, I investigate gut–brain signaling mechanisms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic pain condition affecting the digestive system. Through this work, I hope to build a foundation for a career as a physician-scientist, combining clinical practice with research to better understand and treat chronic pain conditions.

My project takes a genetic and environmental approach to understanding why some people are more likely to develop IBS than others. A gene called COMT helps the body break down stress-related chemicals, and people who carry a less active version of this gene and report high levels of stress are at greater risk of developing IBS. To study this, I use mice that carry a functional copy of the COMT gene and expose them to stress, then examine how this combination affects the gut. Specifically, I am looking at changes in the nerves that supply the colon, immune cells that regulate inflammation, and specialized cells in the gut lining called enterochromaffin cells, which release serotonin and help relay pain signals to the brain. I use IHC to allow me to see how these different cell types are organized and whether they change under stress, visualize these changes. I am also interested in how these effects differ between male and female mice, since IBS is more commonly diagnosed in women.

Before joining the Nackley Lab, I explored how sex and early life stress influence alcohol dependency in rats at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and conducted chemistry research on light-emitting molecules and surface coatings at Guilford College. These experiences gave me a broad foundation in both behavioral and molecular research methods.

Outside the lab, I enjoy working out, overanalyzing songs and TV shows, and learning about human health from interdisciplinary perspectives.

Awards and Recognitions

Congratulations to Osman Sohaib on being selected for the 2026 SNP Fellowship! The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) is an eight‑week Duke research experience that enables undergraduates to work one‑on‑one with faculty mentors to jumpstart independent research projects and prepare for advanced study in neuroscience.