UAlbany Summer: Biology Major Explores Proteins that Could Help Speed Wound Healing

By Erin Frick

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 5, 2025) — University at Albany’s George Spencer III is a rising senior majoring in Biology at the College of Arts and Sciences. This summer, Spencer is studying proteins involved in wound healing as part of an internship in the surgery research unit at Albany Medical College.

“In eighth grade I had an injury, and I was seeing a lot of chiropractors and doctors who helped me recover,” Spencer said. “This piqued my interest in the medical field, and the professionals who treated me said that in order to do this, you have to take the route of biology."

Spencer remained dedicated to this path and came to UAlbany to begin working towards his ultimate goal of conducting health science research to help others heal. 

Back in the spring, Spencer connected with Professor of Surgery Michael DiPersio through UAlbany’s Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), an academic enrichment program designed to help students prepare for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Since early June, Spencer has been working in DiPersio’s lab at Albany Medical College to advance a research project focused on wound healing with the aim to determine whether certain proteins could help expedite the healing process.

“To test whether the protein laminin speeds up wound healing, we are creating artificial wounds then assessing protein behavior around the wound site,” Spencer said. “To do this, we are culturing skin cells collected from mice, which we grow in the lab on plates, then we create wounds in the cultured cells by scraping them with the tip of a pipette. Then we wait to see which types of proteins gravitate towards the wound to help it heal. Using a fluorescence microscope, we can see which proteins are present in and around the cells.”

Much of Spencer’s time in the lab is spent growing and analyzing cells. He also engages in daily discussions with senior scientists, medical students and fellow research interns.

“The best part is the research discussions,” said Spencer. “Everyone working on this and related projects —including the two principal investigators, my lab mates and grad students—meet together to collaborate and share different ideas on how we should move the research forward. Working together, giving our input — that has been my favorite thing about this experience.”

Looking forward, Spencer wants to become a chiropractor to serve patients on the clinical side while keeping engaged in the lab. 

“There is a lot of skepticism around the chiropractic practice, yet I experienced the benefits of this type of treatment firsthand,” Spencer said. “I think the field has a lot to offer, but because it is understudied, stigma prevents people from reaping its benefits. I’m interested in the science of chiropractic and want to conduct my own research and bring more awareness to the practice so it can help more people in proven, science backed ways.”

Spencer’s internship will conclude with a research symposium presented to doctors, scientists and students at Albany Medical College later this week. 

“After this summer, I’m excited to incorporate some of the elements of professionalism that I learned into my work as a student assistant in residential life on campus,” Spencer said. “I’ve been so impressed by the graduate students that I’ve worked with this summer; their work ethic, focus and attention to small details is on another level. That's something I want to begin to incorporate now in my undergrad years. Starting that now will help me be more prepared for that next step.”