Sydney Floryanzia: My Next Great Impossible
Sydney Floryanzia is a PhD student at the University of Washington, United States. She talked us through her extraordinary work in helping to develop new therapies for difficult to treat brain diseases such as strokes, infections and Alzheimer’s.
“Neurological diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide…”
One reason it can be challenging to design medicines for brain diseases is due to the blood-brain barrier, a collection of cells and proteins surrounding small vessels in the brain. This cell and protein barrier helps prevent pathogens in the bloodstream from entering the brain; however, it also blocks more than 90% of medicines. Neurological diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. My Next Great Impossible aims to treat these diseases in hopes of positively impacting thousands of people across the globe.
“I build and use microfluidic systems, serving as windows to see brain vasculature…”
My research involves understanding how the blood-brain barrier interacts with different nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are an emerging option for drug delivery across the barrier due to their small size and flexible chemistry. I build and use microfluidic systems, serving as windows, to see brain vasculature outside the brain and analyze how well the particles pass through. I also investigate changes in the blood-brain barrier in different diseases and how these changes affect drug delivery. Determining the best ways to package medicine into nanoparticles and target specific brain cells could potentially allow for the treatment of numerous neurological disorders.
“We cannot accomplish greatness alone; we need unique ideas from people of diverse specialties…”
I believe there is great power in having an interdisciplinary mindset. We cannot accomplish greatness alone; we need unique ideas from people of diverse specialities to understand the brain and achieve my Next Great Impossible. As a chemical engineer, I offer a unique understanding of convective and diffusive transport and how changes in fluid flow influence disease progression in the brain. Similarly, teams consisting of individuals from a range of disciplines are more likely to understand the problem and propose novel and effective solutions.
“…it is possible to make world-changing marks within science while celebrating one’s identity.”
I’m captivated by the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Moreover, I’m motivated by other scientists, such as Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, Dr. Kristala Jones Prather, and Dr. LaShanda Korley, who demonstrate that it is possible to make world-changing marks in science while celebrating one’s identity. My greatest inspiration is my family. They never hesitate to call me, send a card, or send a message of encouragement that always reaches me when I need it the most. Their belief in me allows me to continue to strive towards achieving my Next Great Impossible.
FAQ
Q: What kind of mindset do you need to achieve the Next Great Impossible?
A: An interdisciplinary mindset, coupled with boundless curiosity, resilience, and collaboration.
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