Jessica Little, a student in the combined MD-PhD (MSTP) program, has successfully defended her PhD dissertation entitled “Mutations of key cytokinetic abscission mediators cause microcephaly”. Her exciting research, conducted in the laboratory of Dr. Noelle Dwyer in the Cell Biology Department, showed that inhibition of the p53 protein could correct microcephaly in a mouse model. Her research was supported by both the CMB training grant and an NRSA award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human development. Upon reflection, Jessica feels that working with and mentoring undergraduate students in Dr. Dwyer’s lab was an important part of her PhD training experience. On March 18th, she gave her public seminar in Mr. Jefferson’s Rotunda. She will receive her PhD at the May graduation and then move forward to finish the rest of the MD degree requirements; she has a keen interest in treating patients with and conducting research to improve therapies for neurological disorders.