Patient Care
- Find a Doctor
  Find a doctor by specialty or location.
- Care Locations
  Find primary and specialty care near you.
- Departments and Centers
  New knowledge driving discovery to advance the health of our communities.
- Research
  Every discovery advances academic medicine and improves the vitality of our communities.
- Pay a Bill
  Pay a a bill for services performed by MCW.
- Contact
  Let us help you find an answer to your question.
- MyChart Login
  MyChart user? Log in to make an appointment.
- Request an Appointment Online
  Or call Adult Specialties (800) 272-3666 or Pediatric Specialties (877) 607-5280.
Education
- Medical School
  Choose from a three or four-year MD program at various campus locations, our anesthesiologist assistant, physician associate, or a number of dual degree programs.
- Residency and Fellowship Programs
  Choose from more than 140 specialties and sub-specialties for advanced medical training at MCW.
- Graduate School
  Designed to provide a unique, specialized learning experience.
- PA/NP Fellowship and Residency Programs
  Innovative 12-month PA and NP transition to practice programs in a variety of specialty clinical tracks.
- Pharmacy School
  An innovative three-year PharmD program designed for the expanding pharmacist role in patient care.
- Continuing Professional Development (CME)
  Develops applied learning experiences and supports continual education of the healthcare professional beyond graduation.
- Commencement
  MCW Commencement Events – All Campuses
Research
- Basic Science Research
  Our scientists are discovery-drivers, working to develop cutting-edge treatments.
- Clinical Trials
  Clinical trials are invaluable in testing new treatments, drugs and technologies.
- Project Wonder
  Project Wonder: the Art of Science at the Medical College of Wisconsin partners basic and translational scientists with local artists and writers to elevate and amplify their innovative, life-changing research.
- Translational Research
  Translational scientists turn science and research into improved treatments.
- Centers
  Through collaboration with the brightest minds in science and medicine MCW’s Centers are at the forefront of discovery and innovation.
- Continuing Professional Development (CME)
  Develops applied learning experiences and supports continual education of the healthcare professional beyond graduation.
Community
- Community Connection
  We have the power to advance the health and vitality of all. We invite you to reach out, connect and work with us as we strive towards this vision.
- Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment
  Through research, health care education, workforce development, and community health initiatives, AHW drives change.
- Community Engagement
  Enhancing learning, research, patient care and the health of the community.
- Continuing Professional Development (CME)
  Develops applied learning experiences and supports continual education of the healthcare professional beyond graduation.
- Institute for Health & Equity
  A hub focused on population health, biostatistics, bioethics and epidemiology research.
- Thrive On Collaboration
  Imagine a Milwaukee that is equitable, healthy and thriving for all.
Giving
- Advance Research
  We’re driving research that leads to improved diagnoses, more effective treatments, and new cures.
- Create Healthier Communities
  We work closely with partners to redefine health beyond healthcare and with a bold vision of achieving health equity for all.
- Healthcare Education
  We’re committed to meeting the needs of our changing population, and solving the significant healthcare provider shortage.
- Annual Fund For Excellence
  The flexibility of unrestricted funds allows MCW to continue addressing our most urgent priorities.
- Donate Now
  Your gift today makes tomorrow’s breakthroughs possible.
Find a Doctor

Medical Scientist Training Program

Medical Scientist Training Program

Melissa Anfinson

G5 Student

Faculty Advisor

Aoy Mitchell, PhD, Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy

Locations

Medical Scientist Training Program

Contact Information

manfinson@mcw.edu

Education

BA, Chemistry - Chemical Biology, College of St. Benedict, 2015

Research Interests

Human genetics and pediatric disorders

Research Experience

Medical College of Wisconsin, 2018-present
Advisor: Aoy Mitchell, PhD
Project: The Role of MYH6 Variants in Development and Progression of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Yale University, 2015-2016
Advisor: Dr. Lynne Regan
Project: In vitro examination of heat shock factor 1 activation in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer following HSP90 inhibition

College of St. Benedict, 2014-2015
Advisor: Dr. Rachel Hutcheson
Project: Investigating uncharacterized radical S-adenosylmethionine enzymes

Publications

Anfinson M, Fitts RH, Lough JW, James JM, Simpson PM, Handler SS, Mitchell ME, Tomita-Mitchell A. Significance of α-Myosin Heavy Chain (MYH6) Variants in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Related Cardiovascular Diseases. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2022 May 3;9(5):144. doi: 10.3390/jcdd9050144. PMID: 35621855; PMCID: PMC9147009.

Kim M, Fleres B, Lovett J, Anfinson M, Samudrala S, et al. Contractility of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Cardiomyocytes With an MYH6 Head Domain Variant Associated With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2020;8:440. Published 2020 Jun 23. doi:10.3389/fcell.2020.00440

Meeting Abstracts

M Quintanilla, A Knutson, K Pundsack, E Boysen, B Kor, M Reagan. Use of decongestants may disrupt cell signaling pathways that control Tbx gene expression, leading to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Oral and Poster Presentation at Mayo Clinic IMPACT Symposium. Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MN. February 2015.

ML Quintanilla, KL Mathewson, R Jones, KW Olsen. Synthesis of folate-targeted protein-based photodynamic therapy agents. Poster Presentation. Poster Presentation at Midwest Enzyme Chemistry Conference. Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL. October 2013.

General Interests

Running, cooking, dogs, crafts, outdoors