Young Investigator: Q&A with Alexis Stillwell about NF1 and skeletal development

The Young Investigator Award (YIA) provides two-year salary support to early-career NF researchers to help them get established as independent NF investigators. Since its inception, several YIAs have made groundbreaking research findings and notable publications through this program, and many have advanced to become leaders in the NF research and clinical communities.

We're pleased to introduce some of these researchers from the latest class of awardees : Alexis Stillwell(Pennington Biomedical Research Center) shares how this YIA-funded project looks at the role of the NF1 gene mutation in skeletal development and future potential therapeutic and corrective measures.

What are you hoping to learn from this project?

My project focuses on abnormal skeletal development caused by an NF1 mutation, an often-overlooked topic. Our lab developed a patient-specific mouse model of a "mild" mutation, and between my animal and cell line work, I am hoping to elucidate more knowledge of the role of NF1 during skeletal development, paving the way for research to begin looking at therapeutic and corrective measures.

What has been your experience working in NF so far, and what keeps you passionate about it?

As any researcher will tell you, NF1 is a very challenging gene to study. What helps me persevere is the wonderful CTF community and the doctor-researcher-patient relations that puts into perspective how important this work is. Even if there is a difficult day/week/month in the lab, I know the work we are doing is valuable and relevant to countless lives affected by NF.

Tell us about life in a research lab. What's a typical day look like?

Skeletal research is time dependent, and days vary greatly based on what I am currently working on. I normally start my day by checking on my mouse colony and doing whatever animal work needs to be completed. From there, I am either processing bones for my in vivo experiments or changing media and maintaining cells for my in vitro experiments. Once I complete my hands-on work, I catalog any changes to my mouse colony, process images I have generated, look over new data, read papers, and update my research plans for what I want to do next.

What inspired you to focus your research on NF?

When I started my research career, I didn't really know anything about NF1. During my freshman year of college, I answered a lab cleaning job posting in the genetics department, figuring it was a way to get my foot in the door. As with many stories of serendipity, I was then introduced to a lab across the hall that studied NF1, and I started a research job there a week later. Very quickly, I had my own independent NF1 project, the beginnings of what I am working on now since I stayed for my graduate research. I have always wanted to study connective tissue disorders and skeletal defects. I was fortunate enough to find that freedom within the field of NF1, which led me to a research niche.

What do you like to do when you're not in the lab?

In my free time, I love to read books or see live music in any setting. I also love road tripping and finding new hiking trails or historical (and sometimes odd) places along the way.

What does it mean to you to receive this funding from CTF?

Receiving this funding is a dream come true. I came from a small village in Western New York, where my graduating high school class was ~70. My friends, families, and even teachers were nervous but extremely supportive of me to venture out on my own soon after turning 18. With little more than what fit in my mom's truck bed, I moved to Alabama to pursue my degree in the new Genetic and Genomic Sciences undergraduate program at the University of Alabama (UAB). Personally, this funding represents validation in the perseverance and confidence I held in myself when I was so unsure that my lifestyle being a poor university student 13 hours away from all I ever knew was sustainable.

Career-wise, I am beyond grateful for CTF investing in my research on the lesser renowned skeletal issues seen within patients. At my first CTF meeting, I fell in love with the community and knew this was a special field to be doing research, but I was worried I was going to have to choose between the NF community and my own desires to research connective tissue. This backing and endorsement by CTF makes me feel more completed as a young scientist than I ever thought I would.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I would like to thank my mentors, Dr. Robert Kesterson and Dr. Deeann Wallis who have helped guide my research, but also given me the independence to research my interests within NF1. I would also like to thank Dr. Amjad Javed and Dr. Eason Hildreth for having the patience to teach me various techniques for skeletal research, since I am not in a lab focusing on bone and I had no experience, just sheer will to take my research in this direction. I thank my first PI, Dr. Mick Edmonds, who continued to serve as a mentor for me while I struggled sometimes to find my footing as a freshman, and then a graduate student, even long after he introduced me to Dr. Kesterson. Finally, I would like to thank my husband Jesse, also a graduate student, for being there to rant with me over any of the troubles in lab, and providing scientific advice over the most interesting dinner conversations.

Click here to learn more about funding opportunities, including the Young Investigator Awards, from the Children's Tumor Foundation.

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