HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT’S PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Keishanne Bernal, a senior at Westlake High School in Thornwood, New York, is now a published author of her first scientific study, as a result of the mentorship of Christopher Whitehurst, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology and of biochemistry and molecular biology at New York Medical College (NYMC). The study, which was conducted at NYMC last summer and published in “Virus Research” in September 2023, explores the increased incidence of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) reactivation in Covid-19 patients.  

“I was already interested in virology due to the Covid-19 pandemic but when I learned more about the research on EBV that Dr. Whitehurst’s lab works on and EBV’s possible relationship to Long Covid, it really drove it home for me,” said Bernal, who sought out research with Whitehurst as part of a science research course offered at Westlake High School. 

“From our earliest meetings, Dr. Whitehurst expressed interest in helping me get published but it wasn’t until after we conducted the research, and I was writing up my paper in preparation for science fairs that I realized that a publication was possible,” said Bernal, who has a particular interest in pharmacology and plans to pursue a career working as a scientist in the medical field developing treatments for diseases. 

The study at NYMC used samples collected when the Omicron variant was the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the area to determine if Covid-19 infection promoted EBV reactivation. 

“Reactivation of EBV has been reported among the critically ill and in patients suffering from Long Covid and this reactivation is associated with complicating symptoms, including autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome and various other malignancies,” said Whitehurst. “Our results suggest that infection with Covid-19 did reactivate EBV at a higher rate than for non-Covid patients, findings that can help guide treatment for Covid patients in the future.” 

“I’ve enjoyed having Keishanne in the lab,” said Whitehurst. “She is very intelligent, detail oriented, and extremely hard-working. She accomplished so much during her time here and I am excited to see her scientific journey continue.”

 Founded in 1860, New York Medical College is one of the oldest and largest health sciences colleges in the country with nearly 2,000 students and 475 residents and clinical fellows, more than 2,100 faculty members and 26,280 living alumni. The college, which joined Touro University in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York.