Jakob Samsel
About Jakob Samsel
Jakob Samsel is a Graduate Student Researcher at the National Institutes of Health, specializing in the humoral response to vaccination and HIV neutralizing antibodies. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from The George Washington University.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Jakob Samsel has been employed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a Graduate Student Researcher since 2016. His role involves conducting dissertation research at the NIAID Vaccine Research Center, where he collaborates with The George Washington University. Previously, he worked as a Lab Technician in 2020, measuring responses to the Moderna vaccine for five months at NIH Gaithersburg. His ongoing research focuses on the humoral response to vaccination, contributing to vaccine development and testing.
Education and Expertise
Jakob Samsel earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he studied from 2012 to 2016. He furthered his education by obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Microbiology and Immunology from The George Washington University, completing his studies from 2016 to 2021. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his research in immunology and vaccine development.
Research Experience at Vanderbilt University
In 2015, Jakob Samsel worked as a Research Intern at Vanderbilt University for three months in Nashville, Tennessee. This experience contributed to his research skills and knowledge in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology, laying the groundwork for his future research endeavors.
Research Contributions and Techniques
Jakob Samsel has developed a technique for immortalizing B cells, which facilitates the detailed study of HIV neutralizing antibodies. His dissertation research includes isolating several neutralizing antibodies from both infected and vaccinated animal models, enhancing the understanding of immune responses in the context of vaccination.
Undergraduate Research Experience
Before pursuing his graduate studies, Jakob Samsel worked as an Undergraduate Researcher at the University of Tennessee from 2015 to 2016 for nine months. This role allowed him to gain practical research experience and further his understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology.