Samuel Lundt, PhD, a trainee in Dr. Maj-Linda Selenica’s lab, joined the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging in 2024 as a T32.
It was not by accident he found his way to UK. He was at an academic lab meeting in Portland where he met BBSRB researcher Dr. Zain Quadri, who knew about the T32 and suggested he apply. Lundt made no hesitation and went for it!
Being a T32 has opened doors to ongoing training. Surrounded by other scientists, he is able to keep his momentum going.
Lundt grew up on a small farm in Iowa. He vividly remembers a middle school assignment where he was asked to write what he wanted to be when he grew up on a bullseye. He listed two careers: an athlete and a neurosurgeon. Growing up he played a variety of sports, but due to his size, he knew he would not be able to pursue his athletic dreams, but he could see himself as a neurosurgeon one day.
Years later Lundt graduated with a psychology degree from Iowa State University, followed by a PhD in Biology in the Neurobiology track. He then went on for post-doc work at the University of Missouri where he was part of the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program (INP). During his time there he was accepted into a lab where he had the opportunity to learn about neurodegeneration and the skeletal system. At this time his skills grew in animal behavior and spinal cord and skeletal muscle work. During his time at the University of Missouri, Lundt enjoyed his success in grant writing, securing funding for projects at the INP.
He brings this experience into the Selenica lab where his skills are a great asset. His current project is “Post-translational modification of TDP-43 and Influences of TDP43 pathologies.” He focuses on citrinellication- the process of irreversible change of tissue and loss of charge. This work looks at the downstream effects of citrillation on disease processes.
Lundt has hit his bullseye- performing neurosurgery on mice and revealing fascinating discoveries for neurodegeneration!
Lundt says he has a lot of fun learning and sharing his findings! Nowadays, he dreams of having his own lab.
To learn more about the T32 training program, visit https://medicine.uky.edu/centers/sbcoa/triad.