https://www.rebeccamellema.com/donate daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/read-me daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/writing daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/feb2d5f7-6856-4217-a253-66f16c6c3440/GSW+logo_final_white_bkg.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/b18b3775-fcb9-492a-8cc5-caed0ab94a56/Tropes_For_Book.png https://www.rebeccamellema.com/take-action daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/videos daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/fa87e39c-0bda-4504-bad9-3fb12a6edb6f/How+to+Read+Journal+%281%29.png Videos This is a supplemental video for my Journal Club Series! Here, I walk you through the basics of how I read scientific papers. Admittedly, the process is long and arduous, but the more you practice, the faster you shall become. If you'd like more "how to" videos for those new to science papers, you can contact me at my work email at the end of the video. Paper featured: https://ashpublications.org/blood/art... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/aff4e101-d424-4c16-9dc8-de9c6902f46a/JOURNAL+CLUB%21.png Videos Today, we will be discussing the 2019 article "Platelet hyaluronidase-2 regulates the early stages of inflammatory disease in colitis," Published in Blood Journal. Authors: Aaron C Petrey, Dana R Obery, Sean P Kessler, Ash Zawerton, Bruno Flamion, Carol A de la Motte https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/5de4e432-5980-4196-a0c2-911abb3be60c/JOURNAL+CLUB+1%21.png Videos Part 1 Today, we will be discussing the 2025 paper (my thesis paper), Layilin inhibits integrin activation, and its loss results in platelet hyperactivation via Rac1 in inflammatory bowel disease. Published in Blood journal. Authors: Authors: Mellema RA, Queisser KA, Ajanel A, Albtoush N, Smith-Sanchez L, Rondina MT, Will J, Valentine JF, Petrey AC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/06109f02-4a0d-4687-b827-b2f76ce99b1e/JOURNAL+CLUB%21+%282%29.png Videos Part 2: Today, we will be discussing the 2025 paper (my thesis paper), Layilin inhibits integrin activation, and its loss results in platelet hyperactivation via Rac1 in inflammatory bowel disease. Published in Blood journal. Authors: Authors: Mellema RA, Queisser KA, Ajanel A, Albtoush N, Smith-Sanchez L, Rondina MT, Will J, Valentine JF, Petrey AC. https://www.rebeccamellema.com/home daily 1.0 2026-07-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/f5be000f-883d-4b52-8322-13ce5108db47/imgg-demo-nLRbokBp.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/749a4be6-91fe-429c-a5eb-be45e1073303/headshot.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/d0b745cf-f4ee-4a98-acc0-038750ade3a1/Untitled_Artwork+4.gif https://www.rebeccamellema.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/newsletter daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/videos-2 daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/newsletter-2 daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://www.rebeccamellema.com/services daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/95d70487-fd7f-4538-8d34-903c56254e67/IMG_3449.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/92e0babc-f733-4d6a-8ce8-d1e1cac56057/writing-933262_1920.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/2fe1da39-901f-42a9-9dfe-3ee4323586e9/Screenshot+2025-09-23+at+11.16.28+AM.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/b8584df2-a7d6-4bac-ab38-2c88729c4655/shark+2.PNG https://www.rebeccamellema.com/figure-portfolio daily 0.75 2026-05-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/b8584df2-a7d6-4bac-ab38-2c88729c4655/shark+2.PNG Portfolio A cartoon illustration of a syringe releasing a blue droplet into the ocean, with chemical structures and molecules submerged underwater, surrounded by fish, coral, and seaweed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/6c6225e1-5c89-40ba-b0a2-4245593fa10e/Untitled_Artwork+%281%29.PNG Portfolio Jellyfish. Weirdly enough, the hood was the hardest to paint/color compared to the oral arms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/5acd0831-a9a0-4bd4-a937-bfbc15d0c80d/Untitled_Artwork+4.gif Portfolio A chalk drawing of a bacteriophage virus with a yellow head and legs, and an elongated oval shape representing the virus body on a blackboard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/2fe1da39-901f-42a9-9dfe-3ee4323586e9/Screenshot+2025-09-23+at+11.16.28+AM.png Portfolio Diagram illustrating the difference between healthy and IBD-activated platelet aggregation and activation processes, showing molecules like thrombin, PAR, RAC1, PAK, GTP, and αIIbβ3. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/e15562eb-5b18-433a-a369-a4b4cea163ac/Untitled_Artwork.PNG Portfolio Ducks at Ballard Locks. The bubbles were the biggest challenge of this piece. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/437ededb-28d3-4974-b570-9721068cdd0a/Untitled_Artwork+5+%281%29.gif Portfolio Chalkboard animation of mitochondria fusion and fision. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/3ffb9ffa-dce0-4159-bd8b-dcf7aa941ca2/Laylin+Blood+IBD+Abstract.png Portfolio Diagram comparing pathways of platelets with present and absent layilin, showing molecular interactions involved in platelet activation, granule secretion, and aggregation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/6bbb2c43-00b9-46d3-a13d-85a323005a44/Untitled_Artwork.PNG Portfolio Steller's Jay and Orca. The orca came about as a tiny erasing accident; the resulting smudge looked exactly like a killer whale! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/d4b4d9e4-c350-49cb-94d1-be53ad687553/Untitled_Artwork+3.gif Portfolio Chalkboard animation of neutrophil extracellular trap formation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/353d8082-9d5c-4a27-9482-2f9280e7fb28/HS+degredation.png Portfolio Diagram showing the process of heparin sulfate production and immune response in sepsis with labels for platelets, epithelium, ribosome, mRNA, heparin sulfate, heparanase, and inflammation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/dd328388-ab81-4830-8497-af57bae0444a/Untitled_Artwork+3.PNG Portfolio Bee on rhododendron. I'm so happy with how the bee came out, but even now I'm not completely satisfied with the background https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/320ed3d7-7c0d-4eb5-9932-ecb618ae546b/Without+antibodies.gif Portfolio Chalkboard animation of a virus initially entering a cell, and then being blocked from entering by antibodies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/acdb2986-68d9-4233-95e4-b5b6daed0f0f/FRAAAAAA.png Portfolio Diagram showing COVID-19 patient's alveolar epithelium with hyaluronic acid degradation, fragments, and endothelial barrier dysfunction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/774d1515-6aad-41ac-8114-1e1b817ffeb4/Untitled_Artwork+4.PNG Portfolio Giant Octopus. This was such a fun piece, but also the trickiest to make due to all the arms. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/34180e54-4d59-48bf-bcd5-dddf24fd1c45/Untitled_Artwork+6.gif Portfolio Opsonization of bacteria via antibodies, leading to a macrophage engulfing the bacteria. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/42e127e2-32b8-4430-9776-6e801c1137f6/Hyluronidase+Deletion+Abstract.png Portfolio Diagram of the blood clot formation process, showing platelets, thrombin, hyaluronan, PAR, HAS 1/3, AKT, and fibrinogen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/587f029e-c3e2-49a3-a2a3-c43fe6dce88e/Untitled_Artwork+8.PNG Portfolio Butterfly. I was so lucky with the reference photo I took for this one at the Pacific Science Center; the blue is gorgeous! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/c9b7d3d9-bc08-478d-97dc-ed577ac0dc65/Untitled_Artwork+7.gif Portfolio The GTPase cycle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/1766256103906-BZRDI0V2FMTDJAMQC9GU/Layilin%2BReview%2BSummary%2BFigure.png Portfolio An infographic displaying different cell types and processes relating to cancer, epithelium, and chondrocytes. It includes diagrams of cancer cell, epithelium, chondrocyte, platelet, and T-cell with labels and arrows indicating various molecular interactions, signaling pathways, and cellular behaviors such as migration, binding, and energy production. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/11efa813-56ca-4e43-b4c0-52d3fa6c986e/Untitled_Artwork+5.gif Portfolio Chalkboard animation of the ionization of water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/dfc3ce5f-0d06-4ffe-94bd-69b653780db2/Untitled_Artwork+12.PNG Portfolio Digital gouache painting of two sea otters from the Seattle Aquarium. One is grooming itself above water while another swims nearby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/b46d4a80-4ead-4861-83ca-92c9594b30d1/Logo.gif Portfolio Logo Animation. Original logo design by Deirdre Mack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/5054711e-5036-4b3e-9b9e-19f04aa5a49c/Layilin+Review+Figure+1.png Portfolio Diagram showing a molecular pathway with labeled components: C-Type Lectin Domain, TM Domain, Talin Binding, NF2 Binding, various S monomers, and green and yellow circles indicating specific interactions or modifications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/f9405cfa-ca46-4fa4-a2de-e17579cd2310/confirmation+change_051425.png Portfolio Diagram showing protein interactions involving Talin, with a focus on alphaIIb beta3 and fibrinogen, illustrating cellular adhesion processes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/7dd81ff3-9328-45e8-9c7d-c59a3c688fab/Thesis.gif Portfolio Close up animation on a leukocyte landing on hyaluronan to infiltrate endothelial cells. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/ee3ec0c7-541d-45de-9ef5-9f3fa29e447d/Figure+Thesis+2.png Portfolio Diagram illustrating platelet blood clot formation process. Shows thrombin activating PAR1/4, leading to AKT phosphorylation, GTP exchange in RAC1, activation of PAK, and assembly of fibrinogen into a fibrin clot. Also depicts Rap1-GTP and Talin involved in clot stabilization. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/239dff1d-0ffd-4e31-a40c-6b371213d582/Untitled_Artwork.gif Portfolio Watercolor animation of a stingray swimming by. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/8e14cfdf-7393-482a-8356-6d6d086b0cc1/IMG_4418.gif Portfolio 2D animation practice over photo (taken by Rebecca Mellema) https://www.rebeccamellema.com/new-page daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/1b47a26e-31be-4483-bbe7-4abe125344f6/sciencecommunicationvideosblogsnewslettersandart-preview.png https://www.rebeccamellema.com/operation-friendly-neighborhood-scientist daily 0.75 2026-08-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/1e7ccced-71a9-4be0-8547-a8e96f08245d/IMG_4386.jpg Operation: Friendly Neighborhood Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/61ee6b9f-e414-4828-ae1c-36266fde1f51/IMG_4507.jpg Operation: Friendly Neighborhood Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/8d0080fd-3ef1-4fa0-8633-496864835639/IMG_4711.jpeg Operation: Friendly Neighborhood Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/696e19e3-86f5-4577-a98a-6dd7d5babfd4/IMG_4819.jpeg Operation: Friendly Neighborhood Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67d31c72ac454a4f362e4175/1e7ccced-71a9-4be0-8547-a8e96f08245d/IMG_4386.jpg