In our latest spotlight, we are highlighting Manav Jain, a first-year medical student at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University and our grant recipient for 2024. Manav is originally from North India but relocated to New Jersey in 2016 and, starting in 2023, has resided in Connecticut.
The Spark to Begin the Journey
Manav’s desire to join the medical field stemmed from his aunt’s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis twelve years ago. Throughout time, his interest has transformed into exploring the gaps in information available to the public about the environmental risk factors of autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis and lupus and what doctors and researchers know. Manav seeks to narrow this gap between the information available on these topics and the information given to the public about it. Further, Manav wants to advance our understanding of various autoimmune disorders since we still have so many gaps in our knowledge about how autoimmunity works.
"I am driven by the desire to bridge the disparity between available information and public awareness"
Current Studies
Manav’s current research project is being harnessed to investigate the association between tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels and oxidative stress pathways in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. More specifically, he is analyzing blood samples from MS patients and healthy controls to assess BH4 levels and correlate them with markers of oxidative stress. Manav’s hope is his research will elucidate the role of BH4 depletion in MS pathogenesis as well as explore its potential as a diagnostic marker for the disease.
Future Plans
Manav plans to become an Academic Physician. He wants to be involved with taking care of patients who need his help as well as advancing our understanding of different diseases and therapies through research.
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