Spotlight on Alexandra Prosser, M.D., TL1 Postdoctoral Trainee

By Kelly Hale, Communications Coordinator

Dec 07, 2023

Project Overview: Dr. Prosser's study wants to figure out what a new change in a protein called RPL30 does in a blood condition called Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA). DBA is a problem where the bone marrow, which makes blood cells, doesn't work right, causing a shortage of red blood cells. This study is trying to understand how this new change in RPL30 affects how cells grow and make proteins. DBA is linked to problems with something called ribosomes, which are like cell machines that make proteins. But we're not sure exactly how these problems happen. This research focuses on a new change in RPL30 found in a person with DBA. Dr. Prosser hopes these experiments will give them a way to understand how problems with RPL30 and other similar proteins might cause diseases in people. This knowledge could help find better treatments for these kinds of diseases in the future.

Mentors for this project: John Perry, Ph.D., at the Children's Mercy Research Institute, provides expertise in hematopoiesis, and Jennifer Gerton, Ph.D., at Stowers Institute for Medical Research, gives insight as a leader in ribosomal biology research.

For Alexandra Prosser, M.D., a pediatric oncology fellow at Children's Mercy Kansas City, research was not something she was thinking about when she was going to school in Tulsa because she was discouraged by her experience in the lab, and there were not many resources for support.

But after a pediatric oncology rotation and having a family member treated at Children's Mercy, she was ready to take another look into research. At the Stowers Institute, her work focused on infant leukemia samples and helped her learn more "benchwork."

"I'm really inspired by my mentors, like Erin Guest, M.D., at Children's Mercy, who is nationally known; I'd love to be like her one day," Prosser said. "Jennifer Gerton, Ph.D., at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, has been so supportive, and it's where I started working in the lab. I have been fortunate to have people around me willing to train and support me.

"My other mentor is John Perry, Ph.D., and his support has allowed me to participate in the TL1 program. I am the first person in the fellowship program to take part in this program and everyone has been so supportive. If they had not been, I do not think I would have been able to do it."

During her brief time in the TL1 program, she has learned about how a project changes and how to look at the impacts of those changes, collaborating more with fellow researchers while also deciding who will take ownership of the project.

"I am really excited by the TL1 program. I knew I needed more mentorship and that is happening," she said. "Also, to be able to get my Masters in Clinical Research has been really important while also getting help in biostatistics and grant writing."

The program is helping shape who she is as a researcher while also giving her protected time to work on her current research project.

"I'm learning from the other people in the group, and that really motivates me to see all of these different projects and perspectives," Prosser said. "I am learning what is out there and will be applying for more grants. I hope to keep working with the labs I create."

And one day, you may hear Prosser's name as someone's mentor.