Kyra Martin

Entered Combined-Degree Program: Fall 2021 as a DMD student.

Biography

Kyra Martin

Kyra grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before moving to Indiana to attend DePauw University. Kyra graduated from DePauw University with her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. While at DePauw University, Kyra conducted research in the biology department, researching the role of endocardial cells and heart regeneration in zebrafish. In 2019, she participated in a research experience for undergraduates (REU) funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) at Tufts University. The research conducted at Tufts included assessing multiple synthetic glucocorticoids in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). After graduating in 2020, she participated in the post-baccalaureate research education program (PREP) at the University of Michigan where she investigated the TRIP 13 gene and its role in repairing DNA damage in cancerous cells of patients with head and neck cancer.

In the summer prior to the Fall semester of year 1 of the DMD program, Kyra joined the laboratory of Dr. Jose Lemos as part of the UFCD Summer Research Program where she helped characterize the oxidative stress gene, smu635, in Streptococcus mutans.

In her free time, Kyra enjoys going to the beach as well as trying new restaurants around the area. In her undergraduate career, she served as a teaching assistant for an introductory biology course as well as a tutor for biology, chemistry, math, and physics courses. Through these experiences, she gained a love for teaching. With the dual training, Kyra hopes to become a successful clinician-scientist with a career devoted to research, teaching, and clinical care.