Empowering Global Health

A Maryville College graduate and an East Tennessee Foundation scholarship recipient is making waves in biomedical engineering as a Vanderbilt University graduate student.

Nicholas Spurlock, a recipient of the Gordon W. and Agnes P. Cobb Scholarship Fund, is studying techniques that make PCR testing more accessible globally. His work on L-DNA analogs has been published in the journal, Analytical Methods.

Because of the pandemic, most people are familiar with PCR testing, a polymerase chain reaction that is used in laboratories to amplify segments of DNA to detect diseases, pathogens, and viruses like COVID-19. However, its current reliance on expensive equipment and expert handling limits its use. Spurlock’s groundbreaking research seeks to change that.

“When it comes to global health, we try to be on the cutting edge, but instead of developing a new knife, we’re trying to give everyone a pocketknife,” Spurlock said.

Spurlock’s research seeks to expand access to diagnostics through an instrument and protocol that doesn’t require DNA extraction, which makes the process require less technical expertise and expensive reagents. This would allow an aid worker or a volunteer to collect a sample and still get an accurate result. His research team also is working to make the instrument more affordable so it can help more people around the world.

Spurlock is able to focus on important discoveries in global healthcare because of the generosity of East Tennesseans and the stewardship of the East Tennessee Foundation (ETF).

He received $40,000 over four years for his education from the Cobb Scholarship, which was established at the ETF through a bequest in 1996 and supports eligible East Tennessee students pursuing a medical-related degree.

The ETF awards scholarships to more than 100 students a year. For academic year 2023-2024, ETF facilitated $1,004,750 in scholarship awards.

Spurlock said his scholarship has been instrumental to his success.

“When you’re doing PhD research, it helps to be able to devote yourself fully to that, instead of trying to juggle priorities just to cover your living expenses,” Spurlock said. “I am really grateful for the Cobb scholarship, East Tennessee Foundation and the opportunities I’ve been given.”

Spurlock was able to present his research at a conference because of the funds, in addition to pursuing a doctorate at Vanderbilt University. He ambitiously aims to earn his PhD in biomedical engineering in May 2025.