Bethany Knight, a junior biomedical engineering major, recently presented her research on an alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis at a conference in Los Angeles, where she was recognized as one of the top presenters. 

 

The 2020 Foundation Scholar and Clarksburg native conducted research as part of the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates at Baylor College of Medicine. She received a scholarship from the Benjamin M. Statler College of. Engineering and Mineral Resources to attend the conference. 

 

“Rheumatoid arthritis is different from the traditional arthritis that people think about in that it is an autoimmune disease; traditional arthritis normally develops later in life due to age, previous injury, etc.,” Knight said. “Rheumatoid arthritis is a genetic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune cells mistakenly attack the cells that make up the joints. It causes major joint pain as well as deterioration of the joints over time.” 

 

Preliminary trials in rat models suggest the alternative treatment can reduce blood clotting and joint inflammation and deterioration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 

 

“Our findings indicate that a specific peptide appears to interact with T cells, a specific type of immune cell, to prevent the joint deterioration in an animal model,” she said. “This is significant because it could potentially be used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Even more, this mechanism could also potentially be applied to other autoimmune diseases, as T cells play an important role in most of these types of diseases.” 

 

Although this research provided insight into the process of drug development and what day-to-day lab work entails, the most life-changing experience for Knight was through the Research Apprenticeship Program with the WVU Office of Undergraduate Research. She participated in the program as a freshman during the spring of 2021. 

 

“Honestly, from college, that’s been my favorite experience of anything I’ve done so far,” Knight said. “I had zero research experience from high school, so it was a great way to learn about the process. I had a great mentor who really connected me with great resources.” 

 

She was mentored by Karen Anderson, associate department chair and associate professor for psychology. Knight started out learning the basics of working in a lab by assisting with a behavioral pharmacology thesis project, using a rat model to examine the behavioral effects of two different drugs commonly combined for children with autism. 

 

“There had been no prior research into how those two drugs in combination affect behavior, particularly risky decision making,” she said. 

 

After Knight graduates from WVU, she is exploring continuing with research as a biomedical engineer or going to medical school and pursuing maternal fetal medicine.

 

She credits support from the WVU Foundation Scholarship with giving her increased opportunity to immerse herself in her interests and find her passion while at WVU. 

 

“All throughout high school, I worked a job while doing schoolwork. I was so busy in high school. Having those monetary concerns taken away has allowed me to really focus on my schoolwork and these other external opportunities, which I’m very thankful for,” she said. “It’s opened a lot of doors for me.” 

 

Thinking back to her first year at WVU, Knight said it’s important for incoming students to find balance. 

 

“What I always like to tell freshmen is to pick one thing that is really going toward your professional development, like the RAP program, that’s contributing to your resume and pushing you forward. But then also pick one thing to do that’s just for you,” she said. “Reach out, meet new people and have fun.” 

 

Bethany is also a student ambassador for the Statler College, where she goes to outreach events to talk with potential students and their families. She tutors at the Engineering Learning Center, helping first year students with their trickiest classes, and is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society club.