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Student Spotlight

The Department of Physiology & Biophysics highlights the work of our department trainees. Research work comes from the six core research areas in the department including Cancer and Tumor Microenvironment, Cardiovascular, Cell Biology, Signaling and Endocrinology, Metabolism and Obesity, Neuroscience and Addiction, and Systems Physiology.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Leanna Leverton, PhD Candidate

Leanna Leverton

This month in our Graduate Student Spotlight, we feature Leanna Leverton, who is a 5th-year Ph.D. Candidate in the GEMS program from Dr. Naba’s Lab.

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Hometown: Spaulding, IL

Previous Education

  • B.Sc.: Biology and Psychology, Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
  • M.A.: Clinical Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Current Education

  • Degree: PhD
  • Department: Physiology and Biophysics
  • Program: Graduate Education for Biomedical Sciences (GEMS)
  • Concentration: Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine

What are your research and clinical interests? 
I am interested in researching the extracellular matrix (ECM), and how our favorite protein SNED1 assembles. or becomes part of, the ECM. SNED1 has been implicated in physiological processes like metastatic breast cancer and craniofacial formations, however we know little about the fundamental process of how this protein becomes incorporated into the ECM. Delineating whether SNED1 requires the presence of other ECM proteins, such as fibronectin or collagen I, for this process has been the focus of my thesis work.

What makes UIC College of Medicine unique for your studies? 
UIC COM has been such a great place for me to do my doctorate. Having access to researchers that are leaders in their field, as well as facilities and instruments that allow us to perform high-level data acquisition and analysis, are all what allows UIC and the College of Medicine to maintain its spot among the top universities.

What attracted you to The Department of Physiology and Biophysics?
I was attracted by the work that Dr. Naba was doing, on a structure that I was very unfamiliar with at the time I entered the program. My academic background prior to joining UIC was in neuroscience, so signing up for a rotation in a non-neuro lab was a bit out of my comfort zone. However, the lab was a great fit! Not long after joining, I attended my first Departmental Awards Ceremony. As we were still in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was over Zoom, but as part of the fun of the evening we played trivia. As a former Scholastic Bowl (IHSA competitive trivia) player, I was thrilled and even won myself a Physio Department cup! But more importantly, that was my first time witnessing that this department is so supportive of its members at every level. Having attended many departmental talks, and given a couple myself, it’s always a good feeling to be in a room with people who not only care about science, but also your success.

What would you like to do in your free time?
I have a 2.5-year-old son who keeps me quite busy and entertained! I also love spending time outdoors, be it gardening, camping, or on a good bike trail. My husband and I have also spent the last 4 years heavily remodeling our 1909 farmhouse, bringing it into the 21st century in many regards. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been worth it.

What do you most enjoy doing in Chicago? 
Most of the things I’ve enjoyed have been the typical touristy things. I love museums and the aquarium. My husband and I have also been to a few live podcasts, comedy shows, and concerts, most recently Death Cab for Cutie. Other than that, we mostly stay out in the southwest suburbs!