成人AV视频 graduate advances Alzheimer鈥檚 protein research on path to medical school
Before crossing the commencement stage this spring, 成人AV视频 graduate Erina Kotreli was already contributing to research aimed at better understanding the protein interactions linked to Alzheimer’s disease, work that will help inform future medical discoveries.
Originally from Albania, Kotreli moved to the United States 10 years ago with a clear goal: to pursue educational opportunities that would shape her future and honor her family’s sacrifices. As a student at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, she was introduced to the medical field through a specialized program that allowed her to earn two certifications and begin working as a medical assistant right after graduation.
“That experience really showed me I could see myself in medicine,” Kotreli said. “It felt like where I belonged.”
Kotreli was first drawn to 成人AV视频 after hearing positive feedback about its academic programs and supportive environment. Encouraged by a friend’s experience and impressed by the University’s welcoming campus, she knew 成人AV视频 would offer the resources she needed to succeed and decided it was the right place to begin her journey.
She initially enrolled as a chemistry major but soon found her interests shifting. After exploring different courses and potential career paths, she discovered a passion for biology and set her sights on becoming a physician. She graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences on the pre-med track.
Faculty mentors who make a difference
At 成人AV视频, Kotreli found not only academic direction but also a sense of belonging that transformed her college experience.
“My favorite part of 成人AV视频 has definitely been the people,” she said. “Once I found the right group, classes became more enjoyable, and learning felt more collaborative.”
She credits faculty mentors such as Drs. David Waddell and Terri Ellis for shaping her academic journey, but it was her early connection with assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry Dr. Szymon Ciesielski that proved especially transformative.
After taking Ciesielski’s Chemistry I course, Kotreli approached him about joining his research lab – a step that would define much of her undergraduate experience. Despite working full-time, she committed herself to research, eventually dedicating up to 20 hours a week in the lab.
Her research focuses on the protein DNAJB1 and its interaction with Hsp70 in protein aggregation linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Inspired in part by her grandmother’s experience with such conditions, Kotreli became deeply invested in understanding how these proteins function. Her work involved engineering a modified form of DNAJB1 to better understand how its subunits work together in protein folding and breakdown.
“One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s is the formation of toxic protein aggregates,” she explained. “These aggregates can spread and create plaques in tissues, disrupting normal function. Our research looks at how proteins like DNAJB1 and Hsp70 can break up those aggregates.”
While her work does not directly develop treatments, Kotreli emphasizes the importance of foundational research.
“We’re kind of the underdogs,” she said. “We’re not developing a drug or vaccine, but the work we’re doing can provide critical background knowledge that larger labs and institutions can build on.”
Ciesielski said Kotreli stood out from the beginning for both her ambition and leadership.
"Even as a freshman, Erina wanted to tackle major medical challenges like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases," he said. "Her determination, leadership and drive pushed both herself and those around her to excel."
That dedication helped Kotreli earn recognition for her scientific presentations at campus research events and national conferences, including the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Her commitment to scholarship also earned her the 2026 Library Research Prize, presented by the Thomas G. Carpenter Library. The award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, information literacy and meaningful engagement with library resources. Kotreli received the $1,000 prize for her thoughtful research process and innovative use of library tools and databases.
Outside the lab, Kotreli was actively involved across campus. She served as a Supplemental Instruction leader, mentoring fellow students and helping them navigate their own academic journeys through 成人AV视频’s Student Academic Success Services, volunteered for a local nonprofit through the 成人AV视频 Muslim Student Association and supported the community through the Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM) food pantry. She also balanced her rigorous academic schedule with intramural soccer and volleyball.
Reflecting on her journey, she said one of the most important lessons she’s learned is to embrace the unexpected.
“You never know where things are going to lead,” she said. “I never would have imagined I’d be doing the research I’ve done or meeting the people I have. It’s been life-changing.”
Now applying to medical schools, Kotreli hopes to remain in Florida as she continues pursuing her goal of becoming a physician.