CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Whether she is in the pool or the lab, Harvard women's swimming & diving rising senior Blythe Wieclawek is always working towards something bigger than herself.

A native of Oro-Medonte, Ontario, Canada, Wieclawek is researching stem cell treatments alongside Dr. Lee Rubin in Harvard's Stem Cell Institute. Wieclawek's drive to pursue stem cell research hits close to home, as her brother lives with spinal muscular atrophy.

"The main inspiration around my research is my older brother, Jared. We have been so close for our entire lives," Wieclawek said. "He has been in a wheelchair for his whole life with his spinal muscular atrophy. I love him so much and I want what is best for him. If I can develop new treatments that can increase his independence and make his life better day-to-day, it would mean the world."

"My brother was always raised the same as me and my sister," Wieclawek said. "Just because he's in a wheelchair doesn't mean he can't do the same things we do, like pursuing an education. Coming into Harvard, I knew a bit about his treatments and his doctor's visits, but now I felt compelled to learn more about his condition and see if I can do anything to help him at such an amazing place like Harvard."

The main focus of Wieclawek and her group's research in the Rubin lab is to understand how stem cells can be utilized in treating both the neurologic and muscular sides of degenerative diseases.

"Throughout the day, I would say it's very similar to most of the cell biology labs on campus," Wieclawek said. "You run your experiments; you stain for certain biomarkers for expressions of proteins. It's a lot of meetings to go over results, what direction we can take with the research, the goals we want to set and aims we want to complete."

"There is always a steep learning curve," Wieclawek said. "I really loved and enjoyed the challenge, and now I am very comfortable in the lab. It makes me excited to pursue my thesis research and accomplish what I want to do."
From the start, Wieclawek formed a special bond with the Rubin Lab, one that drew her to pursue her research there.

"My mentors are wonderful, and I feel so supported. The Rubin Lab is really special to me because I didn't know if I wanted to pursue research or write a thesis until I found it," Wieclawek said. "Once I learned that Dr. Rubin had been working with a foundation that is working towards a cure for spinal muscular atrophy, I knew I had to get involved. This lab is so special to me, and I can't put into words how appreciative I am for this opportunity."

Along with family and her mentors in the Rubin Lab, Wieclawek's teammates and coaches continue to support her research goals and efforts. While she is missing home back in Canada, Wieclawek is spending the summer on campus in Cambridge to further work on her research.

"There is no place I'd rather be," Wieclawek said. "My coaching staff and fellow teammates encouraged me take a leap of faith and not let the idea that I was a student-athlete hold me back. They allowed me to see that I can add a third sphere to my life that can really enrich it and provide an amazing sense of fulfillment. I am endlessly grateful for all the support."