Shelby Schwarz

Biography

Shelby Schwarz is a PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Kevin Vaughan, conducting cell and molecular research of a rare fatal neurodegenerative disease, Niemann-Pick Type C Disease. She studies how mutations in NPC disease genes result in defective cholesterol transport and overactivation of innate immune signaling in the brain. The goal of her work is to conduct cell and animal studies that identify the cellular mechanisms underpinning NPC disease and develop potential therapeutics. She has received the Nancy Naughton Fellowship since 2022, and has been a graduate student coordinator of the Notre Dame Biology NSF-Research Experiences for Undergraduates for three years. Here future research goal is to obtain a PhD from the University of Notre Dame and pursue postdoctoral studies in the NPC disease field.