Kelli Sommers

Neurological and immunological disorders

Research Experience

Medical College of Wisconsin, 2021-present
Advisor: Bonnie Dittel, PhD
Project: Investigating immune mediated mechanisms on microtubule associated neuronal damage

Marquette University, 2017-2018
Advisor: Paul Gasser, PhD
Project: Discovering localization and functional importance of organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) variants.

Marquette University, 2016-2017
Advisor: William Cullinan, PhD
Project: Examining differences in neurotransmitter activity throughout rodent brains resulting from stress.

Publications

SenthilKumar G, Sommers KC, He Y, Stark K, Craig T, Keval A, Shah N, Patel K, Meurer J. Student Leadership Development Initiative for Medical Students: Lessons Learned From Transitioning to Virtual Modalities. J Med Educ Curric Dev. 2023 Sep 7;10:23821205231200731. doi: 10.1177/23821205231200731. PMID: 37692559; PMCID: PMC10486220.

Beltrame AK, Caldon JJ, Gurski CJ, Hajiyeva Z, Meinhardt NJ, Sommers KC, Neu SD, Dittel BN. Negative Data, Oh No What Should I Do? How Publication of Negative Data Removes Roadblocks to Productive Research from the Perspective of Scientists Who Perform the Experiments. Immunohorizons. 2023 May 1;7(5):380-383. doi: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300032. PMID: 37252801; PMCID: PMC10414161.

Meeting Abstracts

Cole KE, Allison RL, Gurski CJ, Ebert AD, Dittel BN. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons as a model for immune-mediated neuronal damage. 12th Annual Immunology Scientific Retreat, Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. June 2022. [Poster Presenter]

Cole KE, Allison RL, Gurski CJ, Ebert AD, Dittel BN. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons as a model for immune-mediated neuronal damage. Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Young Scientist Summit, Charleston, SC, USA. April 2022. [Poster Presenter]

SenthilKumar G, Cole KE, Ellinas E. Why are women underrepresented in healthcare leadership? Center for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine Symposium, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. March 2022. Virtual. [Poster, AWSM Symposium Education Session Winner]

Cole KE, SenthilKumar G, Treat R, Farkas A, Ellinas E. Designing a Self-Directed, Online Module to Promote Student Leadership and Intentional Involvement. Innovations in Medical Education Online Conference, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, CA, USA. February 2022. Virtual. [Poster Presenter]
Sommers KC and Dittel BN. Optic neuritis alters microtubule structure and reduces axonal transport in mouse optic nerves. 13th Annual Immunology Scientific Retreat, Center for Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. June 2023. [Poster Presenter]

SenthilKumar G, Cole KE, He Y, Stark K, Craig T, Meurer J. Student Leadership Development Initiative: A Model for Training Medical Students Around the World. Innovations in Medical Education Online Conference, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, CA, USA. February 2022. Virtual. [Poster]

Cole K, LaRue C, Stark K, Stippich L, Horton K, Chou E. Designing a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic: A Virtual IPE Session for Medical, Nursing and Public Health Students. Nexus Summit 2021, Online. October 2021. Virtual. [Poster Presenter]

LaRue C, Cole K, Stark K, Stippich L, Horton K, Chou E. The Student Experience: Co-Creating and Reflecting on a Problem-Based and Clinically Relevant Interprofessional Healthcare Curriculum. Nexus Summit 2021, Online. October 2021. Virtual. [Oral Presentation]

Cole K* & SenthilKumar G*. Designing a leadership curriculum for medical students that teaches students to be influencers. Innovations in Healthcare Education Research Conference, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. September 2021. Virtual. [Poster Presenter]

Stippich L, Stark K, LaRue C, Cole K, Horton K, Chou E. Designing Blueprints for COVID-19 Clinics: How Scaffolding IPE Educational Sessions Promotes Creative Liberties Among Students in the Preclinical Years. Innovations in Healthcare Education Research Conference, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. September 2021. Virtual. [Poster]

Stark K, Stippich L, Cole K, LaRue C, Horton K, Chou E. In the Room Where it Happens - How Remixing Interprofessional Education Planning to Include Students Enhances Engagement and Satisfaction Despite Virtual Restrictions. Innovations in Healthcare Education Research Conference, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. September 2021. Virtual. [Poster]

SenthilKumar G, Cole KE, Fritz JD. Does Emotional Intelligence Matter for Medical Professionals? How Can We Foster It? AAMC 2021 GSA-OSR Virtual Spring Meeting. April 2021. Virtual. [Poster]

Cole KE, Benton K, Witt P, Gonzalez D, Crowe MD, Wheeler DS, Kurtoglu B, Gasser PJ. Role of Nuclear Beta1-Adrenergic Receptors in Isoproterenol-Induced Phosphorylation of cAMP Response Element Binding Protein. MidBrains Midwest Regional Neuroscience Conference, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, USA. November 2017. [Poster Presenter]

Crowe MD, Benton K, Witt P, Gonzalez D, Cole KE, Wheeler DS, Kurtoglu B, Gasser PJ. Examining the Role of Nuclear Beta1-Adrenergic Receptors in Regulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Astrocytes. MidBrains Midwest Regional Neuroscience Conference, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, USA. November 2017. [Poster]

Cole KE, Benton K, Witt P, Gonzalez D, Crowe MD, Wheeler DS, Kurtoglu B, Gasser PJ. Role of Nuclear 1-Adrenergic Receptors in Isoproterenol-Induced Phosphorylation of cAMP Response Element Binding Protein. Poster Presentation at Midbrains, Midwest Regional Neuroscience Conference. University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. November 2017."

General Interests

Wisconsin sports, baking, and reading