UROP Leader Information Submission: Submission #153

First Name: Fiona
Last Name: Dininger
Full name as you would like it to appear on the website: Fiona Dininger
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown, State, and Country (ex: Tallahassee, FL, USA): Orlando, FL, USA
FSU email : fkd22@fsu.edu
Please check this box if you are willing to be contacted by students interested in UROP: Yes
LinkedIn URL (optional): https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-dininger-425448263/
Major(s): Biochemistry
Minor(s): {Empty}
Graduation Semester and Year (ex: Fall, 2022): Spring, 2026
What is your current research focus?:
My current research focus is in cancer treatment. I work as a research assistant in the Sang Lab's project investigating the use of CRISPR to correct SMARCB1 mutations in ATRT, a form of rare childhood brain cancer. As CRISPR carries risks of off-target effects when taking the NHEJ pathway, we are looking for ways to increase the percentage of the HDR pathway to make CRISPR a more viable treatment option. 

Are there any other research related activities you participate(d) in?:
Previously, I worked as a research assistant on the Hickner Lab's R01 project investigating the impact of resistance training on pre-diabetes and metabolic flexibility. 

Answer one of the following two questions about being a UROP Leader or your UROP background. : How has UROP impacted your time at FSU?
Please answer the question you selected above in the area provided.:
UROP has impacted my time as FSU by being my bridge into the research community. I joined UROP as a freshman with no research experience, so being able to begin my research journey the moment I set foot on campus with guidance and assistance from the program was very beneficial. UROP has helped me find a research lab doing impactful work on a topic very important to me that I truly love. Additionally, being able to amass research experience so quickly in my undergraduate career has helped me to achieve other research opportunities, such as my internship at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute in summer 2025. Working as a UROP leader last year was an amazing experience, and I am very excited to guide more students this year!

Please list any other hobbies or interests you would like to share:
Baking, reading, and pilates

Headshot: https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_leaders_information/13561/FD%20Headshot.PNG
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2025Year2025: 2024
Approved: Yes
Update URL UROP Leaders: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-leader-information-submission?element_parents=elements/headshot&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=OJrbzkGkUDczqVE63RB0l-T6W8hTeIYw4ptMNOTknqM
Years as a UROP Leader: 2024-2025