Fischell Institute Black History Month Spotlight: Jordyn Allen

Jordyn Allen is a second-year medical laboratory science major with a minor in chemistry at Morgan State University and a member of Fischell Institute Affiliate Fellow Sui-Seng Tee’s lab at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Allen was introduced to Tee’s lab by her general chemistry professor, Niangoran Koissi, who has previously collaborated with Tee on research projects. Initially shadowing in the lab, Allen gradually learned lab techniques before being named an official intern through the ASCEND Scholars program.

“Working under Dr. Tee has been nothing short of a fulfilling and rewarding experience,” Allen said.

Allen’s research focuses on metabolism and nutrient uptake by cells. The project she is leading, a collaboration with Australia-based company Sentia, powered by Universal Biosensors, aims to adapt the company's wine chemical analysis meter for broader laboratory applications.

Originally designed to measure fructose levels in wine, the lab has tested the device's technology and calibration processes, refining it to support biochemical assays, metabolic studies, and other testing. By leveraging similarities with widely available glucose meters, the project addresses the limited availability of fructose meters and emphasizes the importance of fructose measurement in biological systems.

Allen, who recently presented a poster at the Fischell Institute Faculty Engagement Symposium, said she never imagined herself presenting alongside Ph.D. students and professors.

“During my summer internship in Dr. Tee’s lab, I took advantage of the resources my University of Maryland, Baltimore badge gave me,” she said. “I attended every public symposium in the summer of 2024, and I would go to lectures aimed at medical students in the trauma hospital auditorium during my lunch breaks about once a week.”

In the future, Allen plans to enroll in the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Pharmacy's dual PharmD and M.S. program in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics.

“This will allow me to practice and research in the field of growing pharmaceuticals, where I see myself applying oncology principles to pain management for patients,” she said.

Published February 26, 2025