Neuroscience and pharmacology research raises recent UK grad's interest in medicine
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2024) — Recent University of Kentucky graduate Elaf Ghoneim was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Her family, originally from Libya, established a tight-knit, community-oriented home that emphasized the importance of service and advocacy. This upbringing cultivated her self-assuredness and instilled a deep sense of purpose, nurturing her two great passions: helping people and a love of science. Ghoneim aspires to pursue a career in medicine, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact in her community.
“In terms of service, my parents are my biggest role models and have always encouraged me to give back to my community,” said Ghoneim, who studied neuroscience and pharmacology in her senior year of high school, seeking to cultivate her passions and see where they would lead. “I never considered conducting my own research past middle school science fairs. It wasn’t until I learned just how much there was still to discover that I truly recognized it as a possible career. After my first experience in a lab studying cancer, my passion for scientific research and growing curiosity spurred me to find my next placement and motivated me to apply for the Beckman Scholars Program.”
Ghoneim was a neuroscience major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Lewis Honors College while an undergrad at UK. Selected as 2022-23 Beckman Scholar, her research took place in the lab of Linda Van Eldik, Ph.D., director of the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. The project involved the study of the brain, Alzheimer’s disease and its associated inflammation. Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of dementia among older adults. There is no cure; current treatments focus on slowing the progression of the disease.
The lab developed a small molecule drug compound, MW151, that was found to suppress abnormal neuroinflammatory responses and protect the nerve cells. The mechanism of action of the drug, however, was still unknown and past experiments raised the possibility that modulation of cellular metabolism could be involved in curtailment of inflammatory responses.
Ghoneim aimed to explore that possibility by testing the hypothesis that MW151 exerts anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of induced glycolysis known to occur in myeloid cells in response to inflammatory activation. Her own description of the project: Challenging, but invigorating. Understanding the mechanism of action of MW151 could help maximize the odds of clinical success and spur the development of additional compounds that are efficacious not just for Alzheimer’s disease, but also for other neurodegenerative conditions.
“Although not every experiment works exactly as you hope, I’ve learned many new techniques and invaluable skills that have allowed me to grow as a scientist,” said Ghoneim. “One noteworthy aspect of my project is the collaborative nature of the research where nothing is ever discovered alone. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with a team of fellow researchers and my mentor, which has provided a stimulating environment for brainstorming, problem-solving, and peer learning. This collaborative aspect has been instrumental in shaping the direction of the research and my experience as a young scientist.”
Ghoneim said the mentored part of the Beckman Scholars Program was transformative for her academic and personal growth. It allowed her to work closely with her mentor to expand research skills and knowledge and provide insights into the professional world of scientific research. That guidance and expertise shaped both Ghoneim’s research project and future career aspirations. The experience was so positive that she continued work on the project in the Van Eldik lab after her time as a Beckman Scholar concluded.
“I hope to expand my work and contribute to the scientific advancements of my field throughout my career,” said Ghoneim, who graduated in 2024. “My research and clinical experiences have provided me with the clarity I craved for my future — that science and medicine were not only where I wanted to be, but where I needed to be. I am not sure where my future will lead me, but I do know that my experience enhanced my desire to learn and motivation to grow. The Beckman Scholars Program has been pivotal in developing many practical skills as well as in contributing to my personal and professional growth. While my plan has always been to obtain a medical degree, my time in this program has shown me how much the world of research has to offer. I am grateful for these opportunities, which have inspired me to broaden my educational goals and prioritize the integration of research into my future career. By doing so, I hope to advance medicine and improve patient care, making a positive difference in the lives of those I serve.”
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.