Polygence Scholar2026
Renesh Karanam
Class of 2027Concord, NC
About
Hello, my name is Renesh. My project is on Parkinson's disease. I chose this topic because I've always been deeply curious about what happens when we think and how we feel on a daily basis , those quiet, invisible moments that shape who we are. The more I read articles and publications on this topic, the more something stirred inside me. I had an epiphany: I wanted to do research on Parkinson's. This isn't just a project to me , it's a chance to understand the human mind and, hopefully, make a real difference in people's lives.Projects
- "Phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein and its link to Parkinson's disease" with mentor Jobin (Jan. 7, 2026)
Project Portfolio
Phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein and its link to Parkinson's disease
Started June 12, 2025
Abstract or project description
Renesh will be working on the role of phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been linked to Parkinson's disease. He will explore what PTMs are present in PD, specifically on phosphorylation. He will investigate the different chemical modifications that happen in different PTMs and how this is important in PD. He will explore the influence of phosphorylation on the structure and function of alpha-synuclein.