In her PhD studies, Meghan is researching a novel process by which cells maintain proteostasis– the disposal of cellular trash outside the cell, called exophergenesis. Much has been learned about the various ways in which neurons handle aggregates and cellular ‘trash’. Since the first publication on exophers in 2017, Meghan gained experience in C. elegans neurobiology, mechanistically bringing to light a proteostasis-related organelle not yet described in C. elegans, the aggresome.
Meghan is currently funded by an NIH F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Research Fellowship and will be looking for a post-doctoral position in 2022.
Publications
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C. elegans neurons jettison protein aggregates and mitochondria under neurotoxic stress, Melentijevic, Toth* Meghan Arnold*, Guasp, Harinath, Nguyen, Taub, Parker, Neri, Gabel, Hall, Monica Driscoll, 2/16/2017
Nature Paper 2017 -
Trash talk: disposal and remote degradation of neuronal garbage, Meghan Lee Arnold, Ilija Melentijevic, Anna Joelle Smart & Monica Driscoll , 1/30/2018
Arnold 2017, BMC Biology -
Quantitative Approaches for Scoring in vivo Neuronal Aggregate and Organelle Extrusion in Large Exopher Vesicles in C. elegans, Meghan Lee Arnold, Cooper, Barth D. Grant, Monica Driscoll , 9/18/2020
Arnold 2018, JoVE
Awards & Distinctions
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NIH F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Research Fellowship
“Sequestosome and Intermediate Filament Roles in a Novel Pathway of Neuronal Trash Extrusion That May Promote Aggregate Spread in Alzheimer’s Disease”.
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Plenary Presentation
Plenary talk at 22nd C. elegans International Conference. Los Angeles, California, USA (June 2019) “Unexpected cytoskeletal components involved in a trash expulsion” Authors: Meghan Arnold*, Ardeshna, Guasp, Melentijevic, Cooper, Smart, Hall, Nguyen, Grant, Monica Driscoll.
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Biological Sciences Fellow Stipend Award (May 2019, July 2018)
To supplement Graduate Assistant stipends for Ph.D. candidates for Division of Life Sciences who are in good standing in their graduate program.
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Teaching Assistant and Graduate Assistant Professional Development Fund Award (March 2018)
Awarded to selected TA and Graduate Assistants. Scholarship-funds are intended to be used for activities associated with academic progress toward the degree such as summer support, research support and travel to conferences.
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School of Arts and Sciences Paul Robeson Scholars (May 2016)
Awarded to School of Arts and Sciences students who completed a department-based honors thesis or an SAS Interdisciplinary Honors Thesis.
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Henry Rutgers Scholar Award (May 2016)
An honorable award made to only nominated outstanding School of Arts and Sciences Paul Robeson Scholars based on the quality of their thesis and overall academic record.
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MacMillan Foundation Summer Undergraduate Research Foundation Scholar (Summer 2015)
A competitive summer fellowship awarded to Life Science majors pursuing novel independent undergraduate research
- ARESTY travel grant recipient (2015)