Cheryl Okumura
Associate Professor of Biology, Occidental College
B.A. Pomona College, Ph.D. UCLA, postdoc UCSD
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Taro plant (Colocasia esculenta) developed & cultivated by my first undergraduate research mentor John Cho.
I started doing research as an undergraduate...
I started doing research as an undergraduate...
...but I didn't always study Group A Streptococcus! Or even bacteria for that matter. Going home to Hawai'i for summers, I started doing undergraduate research in plants. My first project was looking at the molecular phylogeny of taro, a root plant central to Polynesian diets, to track the migration and cultivation of taro throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands. I also surveyed pineapple plants for Pineapple Mealybug Wilt virus, which can devastate commercial pineapple crops. Through my undergraduate research experiences, I became familiar with molecular techniques and discovered that working in a lab to answer interesting questions was something I loved!
As a student at Pomona College, I did research for my senior thesis, bioengineering a bacterial enzyme to customize its recognition and cleavage activity. I learned more about molecular biology as well as writing and presenting to scientific audiences.
After finishing college, I moved to Maryland with a Post-Baccaulaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) to work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where I studied viruses that cause B-cell lymphomas. Here I fell in love with immunology and the interactions between host and pathogens (disease-causing microbes).
These experiences were important for me to decide to continue pursuing research as a career. I am in turn dedicated to helping students decide whether research is the right path for them!
In graduate school, I switched to parasites.
In graduate school, I switched to parasites.
In graduate school at UCLA with Patricia Johnson, I studied the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. This parasite causes the most non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet is only symptomatic in 50% in women and typically asymptomatic in men. It can cause complications such as pre-term birth, low birth weight and increased susceptibility to HIV infection.
My work explored the interactions between the parasite and host cells on a celullar level. We found that the parasite surface is covered in a lipid-anchored glycan (sugar) molecule that helps mediate attachment to host cells. On the host side, we found that a protein called galectin-1 can bind to these parasite glycans to help the parasite attach to cells. We also sequenced the genome of T. vaginalis and found that it was highly unusual!
At this point, I wasn't sure what I would do with my PhD. I decided to do a postdoc to further explore my options.
Scanning electron microscopy images of Trichomonas vaginalis in liquid culture (left) and attached to a cell (right).
Pseudocolored SEM image of Group A Streptococcus.
I worked on infectious bacteria as a postdoc.
I worked on infectious bacteria as a postdoc.
As a postdoc, I wanted to learn more about using organisms with tractable (modifiable) genetics and animal model infection systems. I did at postdoc at UCSD with Victor Nizet. I worked with a variety of infectious bacteria, including Group A and Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. I also worked with a variety of immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages and mast cells. My publications from my postdoc can be found on my publication page.
I also received a training grant through the NIH Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA). I gained teaching experience at San Diego State University and through an HHMI summer intensive seminar, which was valuable for my decision to pursue a career with a heavy teaching emphasis. I love working with students and Oxy is the perfect place for me to do that!
I do of course have a life outside of lab!
I do of course have a life outside of lab!
It's important to do a variety of activities - it's what helps me stay creative in science and why I love being at a liberal arts college. In my free time, I like to travel, enjoy different foods, drink coffee, take long walks, swim, take ballet classes, sew (cross-stitch is my fave), read YA fiction, and do puzzles.
I have 3 kids with my partner, and that usually keeps me pretty busy!
Our recent family trip to Norway!
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