Application of Multivalent Displays on Metalloprotease-Dependent Cleavage of Semaphorin 4D in Synapse Development Master’s Thesis

ii Acknowledgments I would like to take this time to thank my wonderful friends, old and new, who have made these last four years at Brandeis truly memorable. I'm grateful that you were able to pull me out of studying and lab work long enough for me to take a break from it all and enjoy life. I'll always cherish the moments that we spent together. In terms of my development as a scientist, I would like to extend a wholehearted thank you to my terrific research mentors, Dr. for giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue this fascinating research project as an undergraduate. From my undergraduate research career, I realize just how hard lab work can be! However, despite these difficulties, Sue and Jason were always extremely supportive. And reflecting back, I've now come to appreciate how they always demanded more of me and pushed me to fulfill my potential. Thank you, Dr. Paradis and Dr. Pontrello, I had a lot of fun… and I learned quite a bit too! Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention my graduate student mentor, Aram Raissi. It just wouldn't be the same without him! He's an excellent teacher, brilliant scientist, and a genuinely kind-hearted person. He transformed me from a bumbling undergraduate, into a " somewhat " competent researcher. I've always looked up to him as a role model and I truly consider him one of my best friends. Thanks, Aram. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my family for all their love and support. I would like to thank my little sister, Jade Scangarello, for always being happy iii and cheerful. You're the light of my life and I hope that you know that I will always be there for you. But most importantly of all, I would like to thank my parents, Anthony and Maria Scangarello. Thank you for providing me with a warm and loving household to grow up in. Thank you for showing me the value of hard work and of being a kind person. My life would be nowhere without you. Please know that I appreciate the sacrifices that you two make for me and Jade every day. I couldn't have asked for better parents. So now, it is a great honor for me to present to you my biochemistry Master's thesis. I consider this work the culmination …