Student Highlights: Max Packebush
— MEET MAX —
Class: Senior
Major: Molecular Biology
Maxwell (Max) Packebush was raised in Littleton, Colorado. Early in life, he developed a passion for science and biology that ultimately inspired him to pursue undergraduate majors in both Molecular Biology and Microbiology with minors in Chemistry and Honors at the University of Wyoming. The opportunity to conduct meaningful, groundbreaking research at UW is a dream come true. Outside of academics, Max loves to spend time with friends and family, play chess, and explore Wyoming’s great outdoors.
— MAX’S RESEARCH —
Max is working with Dr. Thomas Boothby in the Department of Molecular Biology. Max’s work focuses on developing a novel method of storing blood clotting factors and other biologic pharmaceuticals in a dry state at ambient temperature without the need for cold-chain refrigeration, freezing, or lyophilization. By utilizing the molecules used by tardigrades and other stress tolerant organisms to protect themselves in stressful environments, Max hopes to employ the same biologically protective molecules to stabilize life-saving medicines.
ABOUT STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Every year, we award fellowships to graduate and undergraduate students attending the University of Wyoming or one of Wyoming’s community colleges in order to provide them with the opportunity to do “real” research. Occasionally, we feature one of these students and their research on this blog. For more information about our student fellowships, visit our College Programs page.