How/Why Research? Working in the lab has shown me how the knowledge gained in my STEM courses can directly impact my research, and pushes me to learn more outside of my courses. Going in-depth into a field you are excited about, while also understanding the real-world impact of your work, is incredibly motivating and keeps you coming back to the lab every day. I have enjoyed my work during my research experiences as well as the people I have gotten the chance to work with. In high school, I got involved in the Nguyen Lab through the UNC Young Innovators Program. Then in college, I found the Sode lab by googling biomedical engineering labs with keywords of my interests, reading about the research on their lab website, and emailing the PI.
Research Experience: My research experience began in high school at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy working under Dr. Juliane Nguyen. I conducted experiments on macrophage polarization for cancer therapeutics. In my sophomore year of college, I started a project in the Sode Lab creating antibody fusions with light-sensitive protein domains for biosensing applications. I also started a UNC iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team. iGEM is an international synthetic biology competition. A team of undergraduate students and I are working together to engineer a hydrogel for wound healing applications. Additionally, in the summer of 2022 I interned at Georgia Institute of Technology in Dr. Todd Sulcheck’s lab. My project analyzed a microfluidic device for designed for cell buffer exchange. These experiences have benefited me in many ways. Not only have I learned many important laboratory skills, I have also gained an in-depth knowledge of cutting edge research, made connections that will foster my career, and built my confidence as an aspiring scientist.
Student Organizations/Clubs: UNC iGEM, Carolina Scientific, STEM Sisters, Biomedical Engineering Society
Also Happy to Chat about: Emailing Professors, Talking with Professors, Networking Fitting Research into a Busy Schedule, Finding Summer Research Opportunities/internships, Mental Health, Study Abroad
Random Fun Fact: One of my favorite things to do is kayaking!