Geethika Polepalli, a second-year undergraduate majoring in Immunology and on the pre-medicine track at UAB, has been selected for the 2024 Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship program. Each summer, the Presidential Honors Fellowship program gives students across a variety of fields of study the chance to conduct research related to their majors or areas of interest with a monetary stipend and guidance from faculty mentors.

Polepalli is mentored by Carlos Orihuela, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology, who shared his thoughts on the program.

“Geethika is an outstanding young student, and we are lucky to have her in the lab,” Orihuela said.“The UAB Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship allows undergraduates to work full-time in the summer. This is critical as it gives students the opportunity to truly understand the challenges, commitment required, and rewards that come with being an academic investigator. I am excited to see what Geethika accomplishes this summer and have her experience making a discovery.”

J. Victor Garcia-Martinez, department chair, emphasized the significance of student researchers within the UAB Department of Microbiology.

"Students are the lifeblood of our department," Garcia-Martinez said. "Geethika exemplifies the outstanding students that we have at UAB, and Dr. Orihuela has an outstanding track record in student training. We are thrilled by this recognition and know that this experience will enrich both student and mentor."

Polepalli shared details about herself, her research, and what she looks forward to in the program.

Tell us a little about yourself and your educational background.

Polepalli: I am from Brandon, Mississippi, and I graduated from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. At UAB, I am a part of many Indian cultural organizations, the Bollywood-fusion dance team, Rangeela, and serve as an Honors College Ambassador. My hobbies include dancing, reading, and eating food!

Tell us a little about your research and why it interests you.

Polepalli: I am researching Streptococcus pneumoniae, an opportunistic Gram-positive bacterial pathogen that causes serious infections including otitis media, pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. Over this summer, I am specifically studying a gene in S.pneumoniae that produces hyaluronate lyase: an enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid, a polysaccharide that is abundant in the airway. The degradation of hyaluronic acid gives Streptococcus pneumoniae a carbon source during their colonization of the nasopharynx so that they can continue growing within their host. S.pneumoniae was discovered over 140 years ago, however, the mechanisms that S.pneumoniae uses to switch from a harmless colonizer to invasive and cause disease in hosts are still not entirely understood. The bacteria's mysterious nature ignites my curiosity to further research the bacteria and understand exactly how it causes disease.

What does being selected for the UAB Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship mean to you, and how will it support your future goals?

Polepalli: To me, being selected for the UAB Honors College Presidential Honors Fellowship is another opportunity to delve into more STEM-based fields and learn what I would like to do in the future. With the Honors College resources and support, I feel confident in learning and exploring all the different fields available to me.

What are your goals for the future?

Polepalli: After graduating from UAB, I hope to go to medical school and go into pediatrics.