Maya Pulliam, BSc, BA
- High School Diploma, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute on the Ingenuity Project track, 2020
- Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with magna cum laude Latin honors distinction, University of Maryland, College Park, 2024
- Bachelor of Science in Public Health Science with a summa cum laude distinction, University of Maryland, College Park, 2024
Description of research project:
Despite ART making the virus undetectable in the blood, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent among patients, suggesting that the drugs themselves may be affecting the brain or the blood-brain barrier. Possible endothelial dysfunction may include changes in nutrient transport and barrier integrity which could prove to be a very critical and possibly fatal issue. Information on how these HIV therapies affect the blood-brain barrier would have implications on how patients are treated for their virus as well as what preventative measures are taken to prevent infection in HIV-negative groups who are more at risk of contracting the virus. Since glucose is the main energy source of the brain it is important to consider as well as proteins such as claudin-5 and occludin which have been seen to lead to barrier deterioration if downregulated. Using western blotting, qRT-PCR, and flow cytometry, I looked into the effects first-line ART and cART (tenofovir, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir) have on the GLUT1 transporter. Western blotting was solely used to assess the effects these drugs have on the tight junctional proteins, occludin and claudin-5. Although data shows some changes in protein and RNA expression as a result of treatment, none of the fold changes observed in GLUT1, claudin-5, or occludin were statistically significant. The research concluded that ART affects GLUT1, occludin, and claudin-5 expression in various, inconsistent ways. None of the changes that ART and cART impose on these proteins and transporters are significant, meaning that ART or cART upregulating or inhibiting blood-brain barrier permeability is likely not a contributor to issues such as HAND in patients. However, this does not mean that other nutrient transporters and tight junctional proteins are not being affected by ART and more research should be done looking into possible brain endothelial dysfunction these drugs may cause.
Awards:- Gemstone Honors College Citation, 2024
- University Libraries Award for Outstanding Gemstone Team, 2023
- UMD School of Public Health Dean’s List, 2020-2024
- UMD School of Public Policy Dean's List, 2020-2024
- Girl Scout Gold Award, 2020
- AP Scholar with Distinction, 2019 & 2020
- Girl Scout Silver Award, 2016
- Gemstone Honors Program, Dr. Vickie Hill Service Award, 2024
- OMSE Academic Excellence Award, 2021 & 2024
- Full Banneker/Key Scholarship, 2020-2024
- Achievement Award, the National Society of Black Engineers Baltimore Metropolitan Area Chapter, 2019
- 2024 Gemstone Thesis Conference —Presentation “Evaluating the Perceptions of Disordered Eating in Men and Its Impacts on Health-Seeking Behaviors.”
- 2022 Gemstone Do Good Showcase — Presentation “Evaluating the Perceptions of Disordered Eating in Men and Its Impacts on Health-Seeking Behaviors.”
- 2019 Ingenuity Math and Science Symposium — Poster “Antiretroviral Therapy-Facilitated Changes in GLUT1 at the Blood Brain Barrier?”
- 2019 Baltimore Science Fair — Poster “What is the Effect of HIV Therapies on GLUT1 at the Blood Brain Barrier?”.
- In the fall, my college research team (UNITED) will be working towards publishing our project “Evaluating the Perceptions of Disordered Eating in Men and Its Impacts on Health-Seeking Behaviors.” In the fall, our thesis under the same title will be available via https://drum.lib.umd.edu/
- My comfort show is Family Guy.
- I'm a Taurus.