Alexandrea (Lexi) Duscher

I am currently a PhD candidate at the University of FL. I finished my undergraduate degree in Marine Science at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. I first started working in Dr. Foster's lab as a post-baccalaureate on marine stromatolites and transitioned into the squid project for my PhD.

I enjoy working on the squid in space project because I am able to combine an extremely interesting and well studied marine model system with an aspect of science I had never before considered studying, space biology.

While my fellow squid-mate Maddie is focused the specific immune pathway of apoptosis in the squid I am more focused on the response of the squid's innate immune cells, hemocytes, in response to simulated microgravity. Previous work in our lab has found that hemocyte migration into the blood sinus of the light organ, the site of symbiosis between the squid and V. fischeri, is delayed in simulated microgravity and never reaches the same levels as gravity controls, indicating a delay in the response of innate immune cells in microgravity. I am focused on a specific innate immune pathway that may trigger the activation of the hemocytes.

Using NanoString technology I want to investigate the activity of genes relating to a putative hemocyte activation pathway to determine if this pathway is the reason for the delay of hemocyte migration in microgravity conditions. This work will help us better understand how innate immune cells are impacted in a space-like environment.

Outside of work I try to take advantage of the beautiful FL weather by surfing, hiking, and camping. I also enjoy talking about science with the community and am active in the Skype a Scientist program as well as a mentoring program with Maddie that targets young women interested STEM at University of Central Florida called Pegasus Express.

August 2017