Emily Bonderanko
Major: Biochemistry and Spanish
Research Location: University of Notre Dame
Emily’s research focuses on developing a sensor for the detection of pharmaceuticals that do not yet have a widely-available low-cost detection method. For her summer research, she explored the development of an aptamer-based sensor for the detection of the antiretroviral drugs zidovudine and lamivudine. These drugs are among several other antiretrovirals used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and are the most frequently reported counterfeits amongst antiretrovirals.
Emily says, “I’m really thankful for the opportunity to stay on campus this summer to do research. I was conducting research full- time in a welcoming lab environment, where I could fully immerse myself in my work to get started on planning for and doing experiments for my senior thesis.”