We here at Pierce lab would like to congratulate Nosa on a successful dissertation defense! His presentation titled “Preliminary Report on Protein Preparations Exhibiting Both Asparaginase and Glutaminase Activity Purified from Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253” discussed the methods utilized for the induction, purification, and characterization of L-asparaginase obtained from R. rhodochrous during his time at Georgia State University. L-asparaginase presents a substantial portion of treatment necessary for individuals diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), with survival rates increasing to 90% since the introduction of L-asparaginase as part of the treatment regimen in the 1960s. Nosa’s work with Rhodococcus rhodochrous DAP 96253 aims to circumvent treatment-limiting side effects associated with currently approved L-asparaginases experienced by up to 30% of treated patients. For the rest of his time with us, Nosa will be investigating post purification modifications to the protein, attempting to improve their asparaginase activity while completely eradicating their glutaminase activity and determining the efficacy of the modified protein utilizing specific cancer expressing cell lines.