Howdy, I’m a junior genetics major, classical music dabbler, incorrigible introvert, and research enthusiast! After college, I plan to pursue medical school and a career practicing oncology, but for now I am trying to make the most of my undergraduate experience. I spend most of my free time in orchestra, in the lab, snuggling my dog, or OUTSIDE. I currently play bass in the Texas A&M chamber orchestra as well as in the Brazos Civic orchestra, and I credit orchestra for my sanity remaining intact through all the years of stressing over tests, GPA’s, and social situations. My next favorite pass-time is anything outside: camping, eating, sleeping, hiking, river-floating (literally anything that doesn’t include running).
Notice how research isn’t included on my list of time-consuming obligations. Working in my lab at this point feels less like a graduation requirement than a way to exercise my brain while doing something that I love. Last summer, I began working in Dr. Gomer’s lab and was immediately surprised at the camaraderie between lab members, diversity of projects, and high profile of some of the research. Since then, my enjoyment of research has only expanded, and I have learned how to explore my own ideas through research just like the grad students whom I admire so much. In general, my lab uses Dictyostelium discoideum, a really cute little amoeba, as a model organism for human immune response cells in our pursuit to design therapeutics for common lung diseases. My current project uses video microscopy to determine the effect of polyphosphate, a chemical found in all living things, on pseudopod growth in wild type D. discoideum. If significant differences are found between the poly p group and the control group, I will try to isolate mutants that react differently than the wild type in hopes of elucidating a pathway.
If you have any doubts about my love for research, feel free to drop my lab and ask me anything…. I’ll be there ALL SUMMER (I know, I know… college students are getting WILD these days)! Research has enhanced my undergraduate experience immeasurably, and my goal is to extend that experience to as many peers as possible!