Member of the Class of 2024 is an Award-Winning and Soon-To-Be Published Cancer Researcher

When Justine Valentino ’24 was in high school, she discovered how exciting and rewarding research can be. As a Charger, she’s in the process of co-authoring two academic papers, and she’s already presented her impactful research on gynecological cancers. She did all this before she’s even completed her bachelor’s degree.

Valentino was part of a science research program at her high school in Westchester, New York, where she examined treatments administered to infants diagnosed with Pompe disease, which can be life-threatening. She’s continued to build on her research skills under the mentorship of Eva Sapi, Ph.D., her adviser and “cheerleader” who introduced her to new areas of research.

“I joined Dr. Sapi’s lab a year ago, and I was observing and trying to decide what to do with my Honors thesis,” explains Valentino, a genetics and biotechnology major. “She gave me the amazing opportunity to help her group with their projects. I worked with grad students, helping with data collection, graphs, and revising, and editing. It’s been very exciting.”

‘My first time in a lab working on my own project’

During her time as a Charger, Valentino had the opportunity to take the reins in the laboratory, designing and leading her own research. She began her Honors thesis last spring, examining how cervical cancer cells respond to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Valentino has always been interested in researching gynecological cancers. Not only is she concerned about the possible and “scary” history of these diseases in her own family, she’s also inspired to help find a much-needed cure for these diseases.

As a member of the University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program, Valentino dedicated her summer to her SURF project, which was a continuation of her Honors thesis. She wondered if Borrelia was already in the cancer cells – Lyme disease is quite common, after all – and if there could be a connection between the bacteria and cancer.

Under the mentorship of Dr. Sapi, an internationally recognized expert in Lyme disease research, Valentino found Borrelia was already present in some cervical cancer cells. As part of her research, she chose a cervical cancer line that did not have the bacteria and infected them, then she observed the changes that took place in the cells – inflammatory markers, specifically – and how changes in those markers impacted the cells’ behavior.

“I learned an incredible amount from working on this project,” said Valentino. “This was my first time in a lab working on my own project. I learned all these procedures inside and out and brought together what I learned in my classes.”

‘A very dynamic relationship’

As part of her project, Valentino raised the cancer cells and maintained a healthy cell culture. She kept the line of cells growing, feeding them and transferring them to a new environment as needed. She also ran experiments, extracting RNA – “DNA’s cousin,” explains Valentino – and exploring what genes are expressed more or less after the cells were infected with the bacteria.

Valentino examined three inflammatory markers. After 24 hours of infection, there were more inflammatory markers in the infected cells. What surprised her, however, was that after 48 hours, one of those markers actually decreased, yet the other two continued to increase.

“I think there’s a very dynamic relationship between these markers and the pathways they’re involved in within the cells because cells are constantly responding and reacting to their environment,” said Valentino. “Cells are complicated.”

‘It’s been very exciting’

This research has piqued Valentino’s interest – and she’s far from done. So far, she’s explored what’s happening inside the cells. Next, she’s observing if the cells actually change or become a more aggressive cancer – if they, say, migrate from where they originally started and invade other tissues elsewhere in the body.

Valentino’s research isn’t just about exploring the behavior of cells and the impact of Borrelia – it’s also about sharing what she’s learned. After recently presenting her work as part of the University’s Voegeli Seminar Series, she shared it with the Charger community as part of the University’s SURF presentations. She will also present her Honors thesis at the end of the semester.

In addition to presenting her findings, Valentino plans to publish them. She isn’t yet sure which academic journal will include her work, but she’s expecting to be a co-author on two different papers focused on breast cancer and how those cells react to Borrelia. That, says Valentino, has been an important learning experience.

“When you publish a paper, the style and formatting are crucial and very unique between publishers,” she explains. “It’s been a lengthy process, and it’s been very exciting. It’s also been very rewarding. I don’t even have a bachelor’s degree yet, and I’m able to help on these projects!”

‘Talk about science and digest it’

Valentino’s work has not only been recognized by her fellow Chargers and by publishers, it’s also been honored by the Pink Clover Foundation. The organization, which supports individuals fighting breast cancer as well as breast cancer research, was founded by longtime University supporter Sam Sorbello in honor of his late wife Colleen, who died of breast cancer. The University’s state-of-the-art research laboratory in Dodds Hall also bears her name. With Dr. Sapi by her side, Valentino recently attended a Pink Clover fundraiser gala, during which she accepted the Donna Parker Award in recognition of her work.

‘It’s about being able to share it’

For Valentino, SURF was an exciting opportunity to completely focus on her work in the laboratory. Besides her challenging course load, Valentino is an active member of the Charger community. She’s a member of the University’s club volleyball team, which she jokingly refers to as her “brain break.” An emergency medical technician in New York and Connecticut, she’s also been involved in the University’s EMS Club, a great opportunity to “translate my science into a medical field.”

Valentino’s role as a Learning Assistant in the Center for Learning Resources also enables her to share her passion for science. Not only does she enjoy the opportunity to discuss science with the students she tutors in intro to biology courses, she’s also begun to consider additional possible career paths.

“I wonder if teaching is part of my future,” she said. “I like being able to break down the science. I think that also helps with my presentations overall. Being able to talk about science and digest it for individuals who don’t have that science background is critical. It’s not just about the hardcore research, but it’s about being able to share it with others.”

‘So many experiences I never thought I’d have’

Valentino plans to continue to be a student of science – and, she hopes, to continue her work as a Learning Assistant. After completing her bachelor’s degree at the end of the semester, she will begin the University’s graduate program in cellular and molecular biology. As a member of a pathway program that enables her to connect her undergraduate and graduate programs, Valentino has already taken four graduate courses at the University. She’ll also continue to be Dr. Sapi’s advisee and mentee.

Beyond her time as a Charger, Valentino is interested exploring opportunities in the field of precision, or personalized, medicine. This field aims to treat the individual, rather than producing a drug for the population. It’s an area of medicine she finds particularly intriguing. Whatever path she takes, she’s grateful for the opportunities and experiences she’s had at the University that have prepared her to excel, whether in the laboratory or the classroom.

“Coming to the University has given me so many experiences I never thought I’d have,” she said. “I didn’t realize I’d be publishing two papers in six months, after meeting Dr. Sapi just six months prior to that. That’s very exciting, and I’ve met a lot of wonderful people. These courses have definitely been challenging, but they’ve pushed me to expand from initially thinking it was just genetics I wanted to do into the vast world of cellular and molecular biology, which I think is great.”