Luke graduated from the University at Buffalo with a B.S. in Biochemistry in May 2024. His research focused on understanding of the role of elevated dNTPs on trinucleotide repeat expansion in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Surtees. Additionally, he's worked at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dr. Katerina Gurova's lab, where he investigated the role of type-1-interferon activation in response to chromatin damage. Outside of lab, Hess enjoyed serving as a Civic Engagement Alternative Break team leader and has led two trips to Washington D.C. to work with non-for profits in the area. Additionally, Hess enjoys musical theatre, hiking, romance novels, trying local coffee shops, and traveling.
Biography
Research Interests
My researcher interests are primarily in genomic instability, drug resistance, and metabolism but I am excited to learn more about every avenue of cancer biology.
Techniques
Yeast cell line construction, cell culture, native/agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR, southern blotting, sanger sequencing, western blotting, luciferase reporter assays.
Awards
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Outstanding Poster Presentation (May 2024)-"Investigating the Role of Elevated dNTPs on Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion."
Outstanding Lay Research Talk (August 2023)-“Investigating Type 1 Interferon Activation in Response to Chromatin Damage.”
Outstanding Scientific Research Talk (August 2023)-“Investigating Type 1 Interferon Activation in Response to Chromatin Damage.”
Abstracts
L. Hess, Surtees. J. A. (May 2024). " Investigating the Role of Elevated dNTP pools on Trinucleotide Repeat Tract Expansion” Poster presented at University Biochemistry Research Day, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Hess L., Surtees J. A. (April 2024) “" Investigating the Role of Elevated dNTP pools on Trinucleotide Repeat Tract Expansion” Research talk at SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Surtees J. A., Lamb N., Hess L., (March 2024) “Elevated and skewed dNTP pools alter multiple activities at the replisome” Research talk at Genetics Society of America TAGC Conference, Washington D.C., USA
L. Hess, Surtees. J. A. (October 2023). " Investigating the Role of Elevated dNTP pools on Trinucleotide Repeat Tract Expansion” Poster presented at 27th Annual Buffalo DNA Replication and Repair Symposium, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Hess L., Robinson D, Gurova K. (August 2023). " Investigating Type 1 Interferon Activation in Response to Chromatin Damage” Research talk at Roswell Park Summer Student Research Symposium, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Hess L., Robinson D, Gurova K. (2023). " Investigating Type 1 Interferon Activation in Response to Chromatin Damage” Poster presented at Roswell Park Summer Student Research Symposium, Buffalo, NY, USA.