I am currently enrolled in the Advanced Research class at William Floyd High School.  I am conducting research at Brookhaven National Laboratory using the National Synchotron Light Source II.  I am trying to discern the structure of the protein thyroglobulin using various methods and beamlines. The structure of this protein has never been discovered, and the structure is important because thyroglobulin is heavly decorated with alpha gal. Alpha gal is a compound that can be transmitted by ticks to their host, and cause the alpha gal allergy.  This allergy presents an allergic reaction to all red meats in anyone who contracts it.  If we could discover the structure of thyroglobulin, scientists could potentially find a cure for this sometimes life threatening allergy.