Emily Shearier

Emily  Shearier
  • BS Biological Sciences 2012

It was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota that Emily Shearier fell in love with research. Initially on track for a medical career, the New London, Wisconsin, native took advantage of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program in her third year studying biology at Michigan Tech. For Shearier, the program helped her realize that the thrill of discovery and problem solving she was experiencing through research could become a lifelong passion and a career.

Drawn to applied research, she set forth on a new path and enrolled in a doctoral program in biomedical engineering. Shearier was drawn to her advisor, Feng Zhao, based on her research in adult stem cells. There are numerous applications for stem cells within the body, particularly mesenchymal stem cells, and the opportunity was exciting to Shearier. Once mesenchymal stem cells are taken from a patient’s bone marrow or fatty tissue they can be used to construct new cells for various parts of the body.

The manipulation of these stem cells offers enormous potential in cancer research, heart disease mitigation, and neural regeneration. One specific application is with individuals who face circulation issues and a slower healing process due to diabetes. Through Shearier’s stem cell construct, a cluster of cells may be injected into diabetic wound sites to aid in the healing process.

The cells also have the potential to benefit patients with breast cancer who have had their lymph nodes removed. In many cases, removal can cause lymphedema, or swelling of the limbs due to the lack of lymph fluid released to the impacted limb. It may be possible in the future for these constructed cells to be inserted to re-establish the flow of the lymph fluid. She realizes that while her research is years away from possible treatment in humans, the potential for impact is real.

“I am amazed at the potential of stem cell research; that the stem cell applications I explored in my studies could help improve the lives of patients,” she said.

Shearier defended her dissertation in November and walked in the December 2015 graduation ceremony. She recently accepted a position at UConn Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut as a postdoctoral fellow doing pediatric urology research. Her long-term goal? Shearier wants to lead a research laboratory.

From Michigan Technological University Biomedical Engineering, Spring 2016.