Cara Anderson, PhD, graduated in Spring 2025 from the Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition program and received the Program Award for Outstanding Performance in the General Field of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition. Her dissertation, Independent Roles of Hypusinated and Unhypusinated eIF5A in Pancreas Growth and Development, completed under the mentorship of Dr. Raghavendra Mirmira, investigated how post-translational modification of the translation factor eIF5A influences pancreatic development. Her research distinguished the distinct biological functions of hypusinated and unmodified forms of eIF5A, providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms that guide organogenesis and metabolic regulation.
Cara earned her SB from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 2017 and brought a passion for molecular biology and communication to her graduate work. At UChicago, she was known not only for her scientific rigor but also for her commitment to making complex biomedical research accessible and impactful.
She now applies her scientific expertise in a new role as a Science Writer, where she helps translate cutting-edge research into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.