Abby Frankauski '27

Abby Frankauski '27 | Biology major, Chemistry minor

For as long as Abby Frankauski ’27 can remember, she has been interested in science (biology, to be exact.) Through the many research opportunities in her undergraduate program, the ambitious pre-med student is well on her way to a successful career as a medical doctor. 

Why did you choose to study at Saint Anselm College?

Honestly, the campus and the culture at Saint Anselm is what really stood out to me. I love how pretty the campus is (especially in the fall when the foliage is absolutely stunning), and everyone on campus is so friendly and approachable. Saint Anselm has a very welcoming vibe, and that makes it a really special place.

Can you tell us a bit about your undergraduate research?

This summer, I worked with two peers and Professor Victoria DiBonato study the brains of zebrafish, especially during early developmental periods. We observed changes in the morphology (shape) and function of microglia (immune cells.) 

What have some of the challenges been in this research?

To study these changes, we need the ability to take photos of these cells. To do that, we must anesthetize the fish and position them under a microscope. Since we studied zebrafish over the course of their development, we needed to be able to take pictures of them during multiple stages of their early life. Previous methods of imaging have resulted in death, so we worked to design a novel imaging system that allowed for higher survivability rates. This enabled us to do repeated imaging of the same fish at different periods in its life! We’ve also worked to determine a safe range of anesthetic concentrations in early developmental stages since a lot of research has only focused on safe concentrations for adult fish. 

Walk us through a typical day in the lab. 

It really varies day to day. There were some days where I'd go in around 7:00 a.m. to start the process of collecting embryos for future experiments. Other days, I'd make anesthesia and run trials where I would expose zebrafish to varying concentrations for varying amounts of time and collect data on mortality rates, adverse events, or any other abnormalities. There were also days where I spent all day at my desk writing an abstract for my poster, which I presented at the NH-INBRE Annual Meeting. I’d work to polish my publication draft and analyze all the data I collected. 

Why would you recommend undergraduate research? 

There's a lot of variety in the research I conducted at Saint Anselm over the summer, which kept me on my toes and made being in this lab so much more exciting. Also, it’s a privilege to be able to collaborate with such an amazing group of people. Not all of our research goes smoothly at first (in fact, it rarely does), but it's the process of refining our projects and brainstorming alternative solutions that really makes for a rewarding experience. So yes, I would recommend undergraduate research! 

Why is this research important?

These findings set the stage for us to pursue the lab's long-term goals, which are focused on pesticides and their impact on immune cells’ morphology and function. Without this preliminary data, it would be impossible to advance our research and delve into more pressing topics.

Are you involved in any clubs or organizations on campus? 

Besides NH-INBRE and Alpha Lambda Delta, I haven't really had the chance to join any other organizations because of how busy my classes and jobs have kept me. I'm definitely hoping to get involved more during my last couple years here since I don't want to miss out on everything Saint Anselm has to offer!

What is your favorite memory at Saint Anselm College?

It's impossible for me to pick just one; I really value every single experience I've had here. From early morning runs and tennis, to the gingerbread competition, to staying out late cramming for exams and lab practicals and getting c-shop afterwards – all of the amazing memories I’ve made during my time at Saint Anselm are thanks to all the awesome people I've met and the friends I've made. The College has given me so much and I'll be forever grateful that I'm able to spend four years living and studying in such a wonderful place!

When you’re not in the lab, how do you enjoy spending your time?

I love playing piano (which is something I've been doing since I was four years old), cooking, and baking! I also love to go biking and hiking. I've lived near the White Mountains my whole life, and that’s really given me a love for nature and being outdoors. I'm also an avid traveler; I love experiencing new things and learning about different cultures. I'd love to see as much of the world as I can!

What do you hope to pursue after college?

I'm a pre-med student, so my goal after graduation is to get into medical school and work towards a career as a doctor. I've always been super interested in science (particularly biology), and the clinical fields have really stood out to me. I like them because give me a chance to pursue my interests while using everything I've learned to help others.