Hi! My name is Rithika and I'm a junior biomedical engineering major from San Francisco, California. I've been involved in Dr. Roland Kaunas' Biofabrication Lab since my freshman year of college. Our lab focuses on developing materials for bone regeneration and assessing bench top models to help understand certain disease states. During my time at this lab, I've worked on a project to determine non-invasive methods to tether osteogenic stem cells to bioscaffolds in order to promote natural bone regeneration for traumas that are too severe to heal on their own. Over the years, I've been able to present at symposiums and poster presentations as well as write conference papers and get involved with publications. My journey with research started in my junior year of high school, where I was given the opportunity to conduct summer research at the University of Miami in Dr. Lucina Uddin's Brain Connectivity and Cognition Lab. While at this lab, I studied the relationship between brain connectivity and cognition in typical and atypical development. After my time there had ended, I knew that research was something I wanted to pursue in college. I'm so grateful to have been able to get involved with research early on in my college career and I look forward to utilizing my gained knowledge and experience to obtain a masters degree in biomedical engineering. I hope to eventually join industry and work within the research and development sector of a biomedical startup! My research  experience has allowed me to gain a plethora of things, such as: a close relationship with mentors who continue to motivate and support me, hands-on knowledge that I would have never otherwise gained in a classroom setting, and the ability to critically think about novel techniques that have an impact on the real world. I'm so excited to help other students discover research opportunities that spark passion and excitement within them!

Howdy! My name is Emaly Aguilar, I'm from Cypress, TX but originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala. I am a First-Generation Communication major and psychology minor with a certificate in strategic communication. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master's degree and then a doctoral degree in integrated media and communication studies to focus on technology and organizational communication. 
My hope is to continue to work in the line of promoting equity within health access to different socioeconomic backgrounds and the devices that come with that. Likewise, work with the promotion of content analysis, community engagement, technology in healthcare, organizational communication, technology (AI), virtual storytelling, crisis communication and strategy, and health communication. 

Howdy, my name is Connor Bowerman and I am a sophomore from Austin, Texas. I am a physics student, as well as a Beckman Scholar. I have been doing research in Dr. Alexey Akimov's lab, which focuses on nonlinear optics. Specifically, I have been working to create a system of quantum memory. This device would be able to take in a quantum-encoded signal, for example from a quantum computer, and then repeat that signal without reading it. This would allow the signal to travel greater distances, without the quantum nature of the signal being destroyed. In practicality, most of my day-to-day research involves aligning lasers and testing experimental designs. In the future, I plan to do research as a career, and get my PhD eventually. For now, though, I'm excited to help guide new students and help them get started in undergraduate research!

When I am not busy in the lab or reading papers for my research projects, you might find me climbing, reading books, spending time with the Corps, studying, and every once in a while; sleeping. I currently spend most of my time involved with research in the Cannon lab where I am working on my dermal surgical suture, a project I recently started with the goal of reducing surgical site infections and improving comfort of wounds.
Being from Alaska, almost all of my hobbies involve being outside, whether it's sliding down an ice field with an ice axe, swimming in the glacial lakes, or skiing in 12 feet of snow, you can always find me enjoying the cold. Growing up outside and being constantly surrounded by nature were huge factors in my decision to pursue microbiology and genetics, but the biggest influence was my curiosity. I love to ask questions. In all of my notebooks for class, there is often more questions than there are actual notes. This desire to learn, for the sake of learning, is what inspired me to do research. When I come into the lab, I feel like a kid in a candy store, except instead of a lollipop and twizzlers, there's an 18,000 volt battery and blood agar, yum! 

I got involved in research my freshmen year where I started on a Nursing research project examining the use of different wavelengths of light for identifying deep tissue bruises. Since then I have become active in two more labs, the Cannon lab and the Langford lab. In the Cannon lab, I am currently working on an electrospun scaffold with analgesic and antibiotic capabilities. In the Langford lab, I am currently studying how a particular neurological virus is disrupting specific biochemical pathways leading to symptoms such as paralysis. While being at Texas A&M I have also had the opportunity to have a very interesting freshman year in the Corps, travel to Tanzania to be a medical volunteer and study tropical disease, travel to Australia to study economics, politics, government, and international relations, become an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, and even meet Ms. Rev a time or two. 

Currently I am pursuing two bachelor's degrees simultaneously in Genetics and Microbiology with the hopes of minoring in Bioinformatics and Mathematics. Upon graduation I am planning on pursuing entrance to an MD/PhD program where I can study cellular biology and develop more personalized medical treatments to patients based on their genetic background as well as developing a more fundamental understanding about the workings of the cell.

Howdy!! My name is Joseph and I'm a sophomore Biology major and Computer Science minor from Houston, Texas. Upon graduation, I hope to attend medical school and become a physician in the future! I began my researching career as a freshman here at TAMU in the Dulin Lab working under our wonderful postdoc, Miriam, and I have loved it ever since! In the lab, we conduct research on spinal cord injuries and explore various therapeutic methods, such as neural progenitor cell transplantation for recovery of locomotor functions and reducing the pain associated with such injuries. The project that we are conducting right now focuses on characterizing embryonic spinal cords from the days E11.5 to E13.5 both in vivo and in vitro. The reason for this is that embryonic spinal cords generate over the span of several days, with each day exhibiting distinct phenotypes that consequently have differing ratios of cell proliferation. By characterizing these time points and collecting data on which cells are most abundant at each time point, we can begin to generate more effective and efficient cells for transplantation not only in experimental models, but eventually in humans as well! Aside from being able to conduct exciting and innovate scientific research, joining the Dulin lab has been an amazing experience, and I've found not only a group of intelligent, curious, and like minded coworkers, but a family as well. I'm happy to say that I've found some of my closest friends in the lab, and it is a joy to be side by side with them conducting research and experiencing life, and it is my hope that everyone can have the same amazing experience that I've had!

Howdy! I’m a junior civil engineering student from Laredo, TX. Since Spring 2018, I have been an undergraduate researcher for the Urban Resilience, Networks, and Informatics Lab under Dr. Mostafavi. Our research focuses on interdisciplinary solutions to mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. In combination with the Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) program, I have examined the interaction between social factors and disruptions in critical infrastructure services caused by Hurricane Harvey. I will continue my research for Summer 2019 and in subsequent semesters. I hope my research contributions will help create communities on a local and global scale that are sustainable even against extreme circumstances. For Summer 2018, I was also an undergraduate researcher for the Pontificia Universidad Catolica (PUC) in Santiago, Chile though the A&M Global Engineering program. My research team was preparing resource assessment trips to the Strait of Magellan to measure the region’s tidal energy output. This experience allowed me to simultaneously learn about a rising engineering field and a different culture, and I highly recommend taking on an internship abroad if given the chance. I love working at my research labs and learning from the people around me. I have been able to bounce around different ideas and gain a holistic understanding of the research process. 

Besides research, I am a Chair Executive Officer for ASPIRE, which is a mentoring program for incoming freshmen students. I also write for two separate newsletters which include the Terry Student Organization and the Maroon & White Leadership Society. I also enjoy volunteering in my community, particularly talking to and helping other students with STEM related activities. In my spare time, I enjoy going to church, random events on campus, and writing short stories.

I am a senior Biochemistry and Genetics double major from Houston, Texas with hopes of obtaining a PhD. Both in and out of the lab, my favorite thing to do is listening to music. I have listened to over 1200 albums in the span of about 2 years. Last year I completed the “Rolling Stones: 500 Greatest Albums of All Time” (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was #1 in case you were wondering) as well as the “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.” I am a huge fan of the Astros, with Craig Biggio being my all-time favorite player. This year I will be working at the Medical Center in Houston and hope to attend as many games as possible. I am also on the Competitive Rock Climbing team. Although I am not the best climber in the world, I have found that climbing is a great way to take your mind off of research, school, or anything stressing you out. 

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I began volunteering at Dr. He’s lab in the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture. My lab screens ~2000 Arabidopsis knockout lines to identify btl5 or “bak to life” mutant as a suppressor of BAK1/SERK4-mediated cell death by Viral Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS). Defense receptors like BASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE (BAK1) and its homolog SOMATIC EMBYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE 4 (SERK4) are a vital part of plant defense, growth and development. When they become suppressed, it can lead to defense over-activation and cell death. My research will focuses on finding suppressors of cell death caused by silencing BAK1 and SERK4 with virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) on Arabidopsis knockout collections. My research will also provide insight into the understanding of BAK/SERK4-mediated cell death and how plants activate defense without causing massive cell death. Likewise, this research may impact the future of crop production by genetically modifying the plants for maximizing defense without detrimental defect.

I am a senior geophysics major pursuing minors in mathematics and geology originally from Clay, New York. I am a University Scholar, a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, a former Sophomore Advisor within the honors dorms, a former Junior Advisor in HHCSL, and a current Resident Advisor in the honors dorms. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in geophysics and specialize in electromagnetic and near-surface geophysics. Stereotypically, I do own a large rock collection, and when I am not studying or doing field work I love listening to classic rock and reading any books I can get my hands on.

I joined Dr. Mark Everett’s research team in the fall of 2014. I have been involved in several projects including at Camptown Cemetery in my freshman year and at the meteorite crater in Odessa, Texas in my sophomore year. At Camptown, a cemetery in Brenham, Texas, we used near-surface geophysical methods (Ground penetrating radar (GPR), EM profiler) to look for the remains of African American Civil War soldiers whose gravestones were overturned. The project in Odessa involved the use of geophysical methods to image the structure of a meteorite crater with the purpose of predicting the initial crater size of the impact before weathering and deposition of overlying sediments. My current research, which I have been working on since early 2016, focuses on the development of representative geological models corresponding to the major theories on the origin of Upheaval Dome. This involves using controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) theory to design a forward model for use in predicting possible geologic scenarios of Upheaval Dome. One of my biggest passions is the undergraduate research that I do and I firmly believe that the best way to find your research project is to ask yourself what you love to do! The more passionate you are, the more fun you will have in your career, and the further you will go!

I am an Anthropology and Classics double major with a minor in Museum Studies from Cedar Park, Texas. I am planning on pursuing a PhD in History. When I am not in the lab, you can find me at Texas A&M's Historical Society meetings, watching Netflix, knitting, or painting. 

I began working in the Shipwrecks of the Americas Lab in the Anthropology building as an artifact documenter in the Fall of 2017 as a freshman. Later that same semester, the Anthropology Department's Graduate-Undergraduate Mentor Program started up and I decided to join under the supervision of Carolyn Kennedy, who I was already documenting for. With her and Dr. Kevin Crisman, I tracked the spread of cholera throughout the United States in 1832 via steamboats and gave a presentation over it at the 2019 Society of Historical Archaeology Conference. 

These connections led to another graduate student, Julia Herbst, asking if I would join her on the City Place Schooner Project in Toronto in Summer 2018. In the summer of 2019, I went to Fort Ticonderoga in New York to help graduate student Dan Bishop in his survey of Lake Champlain. 

Starting that same summer, I began working at the Conservation Research Lab on our RELLIS campus. I've mainly worked on the conservation, documentation, and shipping of the CSS Georgia, a Confederate ironclad warship. I'm still working out there, even during the school year!

With most of my research experience being historical nautical archaeology related, I decided to take quite a turn for my senior year and work on a project that is closer to what I hope to do in graduate school one day. I'm currently working under the supervision of Dr. Christoph Konrad and Dr. Deborah Carlson on analyzing Roman imperial numismatics (coins) depicting women related to the emperor. I hope to identify trends that are maintained or changed based on dynasties to inform upon how imperial women were used as propaganda in the Principate Period of the Roman Empire.

I’m a Biomedical Sciences major who plans on a career in medicine. I’ve always liked hands-on learning . . . from academic robotics to research in Dr. David Threadgill’s lab where I started in spring semester of freshman year. My Threadgill Lab research under Graduate Assistant Selene Howe focused on the examination of murine tumors by histopathology to determine whether varying levels of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition would prevent spontaneous tumor occurrence. This research was the subject of the LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Scholars thesis I finished this semester. I’ve also done coursework in algebraic modeling of ejection fraction the past two years for the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology’s Biomedical Research Certificate under Dr. Christopher Quick, and I plan to use my final course in this program to focus on research as a valuable  tool that supports ownership of one’s own education. I’ve volunteered with K-12 students on interactive learning, including robotics with the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas and the the Mentoring Youth and Exposure to Medicine Program (MYE2M) through the Texas A&M College of Medicine. I’ve been the Service Chair for On to Medicine this past academic year and took part in a number of activities with my fraternity Kappa Alpha Order and individually, including Texas Aggie BUILD. My goals this summer include spending lots of time on the A&M golf course.

Howdy! My name is Oula (like how you say “hello” in Spanish!) and I am a junior Biomedical Sciences major and a psychology minor originally from North Sudan in Africa. I lived in several countries and states before I came to Texas. My aspirations are to study medicine and become a pediatric primary care doctor or a family doctor and work in rural areas, where healthcare is most needed. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my older sister, and learning how to draw new poses. Besides doing schoolwork, research and volunteering, you will find me drawing anime and manga, ice skating, or telling funny and sad stories with my sister.

I started my research experience during the spring of my freshman year, when I joined the Biomedical Research Certificate. As a member of Dr. Christopher Quick’s egg lab, my focus is optimizing an ex ovo chicken model to assess the effects of low dose radiation on the lymphatic vessels of the chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane or CAM. My team and I are working on growing chicken embryos in surrogate eggshells and increasing their survivability by adding antibiotics, fungizone and other variables that keeps them sterile and alive outside of their shells. Ex ovo chicken models are a great way to visualize the chicken’s embryo’s vasculature and lymphatic vessels and allows for measuring the changes in vessel diameter before and after interventions like administration of low dose radiation.

In addition to my research with Dr. Quick and the BRC, I did a summer research internship with Dr. Margie Moczygemba at the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and was a member of the Watson/Patrick research lab at Texas A&M Health Science Center. Through research, I came to discover the importance of teamwork in a team project, because everyone contributes their own unique skills to the success of the project. During my junior year, I was fortunate to get the opportunity to become a research team leader with Aggie Research Scholars Program, which gave me a chance to develop and enhance my leadership skills while I am working on a project that I am passionate about. Research has allowed me to grow and mature as a scientist and has given me experiences that I am going to continue thriving upon as I am working my way through college and hopefully medical school!

Howdy! My name is Johnathan Ellard and I am a senior Wildlife and Fisheries major from Caldwell, Texas and a second year LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Ambassador. I began my involvement in undergraduate research when I joined the Riverscape Ecology Lab under Dr. Joshuah Perkin right before my Sophomore year. Since then, I have been involved with freshwater ecology research, particularly studying the multiscale movement of Alligator Gar along the Brazos River.

The goal of this project is to give a clearer perspective on Alligator Gar movements across different spatiotemporal scales and habitats and potentially be able to predict Alligator Gar movement. This in turn will contribute to our understanding of the movements and habitat usage of this integral keystone species not only in the Brazos River but also throughout its range. This study will contribute to the scientific platform of this understudied species and what we know of its ecology as well as contribute to management practices. I have also been involved in a project that focused on flow-recruitment relationships for Shoal Chub within the Brazos River and implications for managing environmental flows from reservoirs into rivers.

Aside from these projects, I also aid in other projects as needed among our lab’s group of outstanding graduate and undergraduate scholars. My interest of fisheries sciences began long before my undergraduate research opportunity. As I completed courses and learned more about freshwater ecology and aquatic sciences, my desire for involvement within these fields only increased. I eventually was able to become plugged into a lab in which I have been presented the opportunity to learn and grow as a student and a person. Undergraduate research for me thus far has been an opportunity to expand my scientific mind and broaden my academic and professional experience in a field that I have interests in. It is a way for me to engage with others on projects that are not only beneficial to this field and the environment but possibly society. After my bachelor's degree I hope to continue my path in research by pursuing a master's degree related to freshwater aquatic sciences. I am truly blessed and excited to be a part of this program and I would love to talk to anyone who has questions about undergraduate research!

Howdy! My name is Mona Fattahi and I’m a senior chemistry major from Dusseldorf, Germany minoring in art and mathematics. Coming into research I thought I was going to go into Chemistry and work into the field until I joined my first research group. I have found my true passion in research through investigation and discovering new methods that can become a green sustainable reaction. 

My previous project focused on the use of a  copolymer to sequester water and prevent metal surface corrosion, while also acting as a protective additive in lubricants to decrease frictional forces and increase the life-span of the machineries. Attempts to address these issues have included the use of metal nanoparticles to act as additives that reduce friction and wear between surfaces, but this approach neglects the water contamination issue. In summary, I was determining a way to remove water from oil to reduce corrosion on machinery components. 

 Research has given me an opportunity to enrich my chemistry degree beyond the proficiencies gained in the laboratory or class setting. I also learned about time management, synthesizing and collecting data, but most importantly, research allowed me to become a better thinker. I have been able to apply my chemistry knowledge to more problematic issues that are relevant to today’s issues. Overall, research has prepared me to excel in my area of interest and to broaden my horizons.  

When I am not in the lab, you can find me hiking, traveling, painting, church or playing sports. You can always find on the Penberthy Field practicing with Texas A&M Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team. 

I am a senior Biomedical Sciences major with a minor in Business from Round Rock, Texas. I am planning on pursuing a career in medicine, with the ultimate goal of practicing as a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. When I’m not in the lab or the “Mouse House,” you may find me on a run around town, playing the piano in the All Faiths Chapel, singing in the St. Mary’s Choir, dabbling in a bit of painting, or volunteering at Family Promise of BCS, which serves to benefit homeless children and their families to achieve sustainable independence. Outside of research and academics, I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in organizations such as the Honors Student Council, MSC Freshman Leadership International, University Honors, the Biomedical Sciences Association, the Texas A&M Singing Cadets and hold one of nine seats on the Student Affairs Fee Advisory Board at Texas A&M.

I began my research experience the fall semester of my freshman year under the direction of Dr. David Threadgill in the department of Veterinary Pathobiology. My research focuses on the influence of diet and genetic background on the gut microbiome composition, which in turn is associated with health status looking specifically at colorectal cancer and its proliferation or prevention in a unique mouse model. I am currently working on a causal study in relation to the aforementioned research project, which will be the basis for my undergraduate research thesis. My experience in research has solidified and amplified my passion for science. It has allowed me the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and collaborate with a plethora of different specialties such as with a toxicology lab under the direction of Dr. Ivan Rusyn, with whom I worked with on a collaborative study over the summer. I am excited to be able to share my passion with others as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador and I hope to inspire them to join in the incredibly fun, educational, and sociable experiences that research has to offer everyone.

I'm an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Advanced Vertical Flight Lab at Texas A&M University. I am currently working on conducting experiments to improve the performance of a flapping-wing, hover-capable, meso-scale Robotic Hummingbird. I was named as ‘Honorable Mention’ by the National Goldwater Scholarship Committee for my research work in the Advanced Vertical Flight Lab and wrote a conference paper that won second place for presenting her research at the AIAA Region IV Conference.

As a University Scholar and University Innovation Fellow, I have the privilege of spreading a love for learning and working on revolutionary projects. I'm also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers Aero Design Team, which is an organization that designs, builds, and flies a radio-controlled aircraft at an international competition every year. This year, I will be serving as the Stability and Controls Team Lead for this organization. In addition to doing research, I'm very passionate about dancing and I'm currently a performer for two dance teams: Texas A&M Belly Dance Association and Philsa Modern Hip-Hop Dance Team. I served as President of Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honors Society and Director of Focus Groups for the MSC Fall Leadership Conference.

I am a junior Biomedical Sciences and Entomology major with a minor in Public Health from Katy, TX. Upon graduation, I hope to attend veterinary school at Texas A&M University and pursue a passion for wildlife and exotic medicine.

My primary research focus is helping declining honey bee populations through the use of proper nutrition and increasing pathogen tolerance. I also assist research studying the ecological role of sea turtles in Matagorda Bay, TX and the ability of aoudads to contract Mycoplasma spp. This summer, I will also begin research examining echolocation in bats.

Aside from research, I spend my time as a veterinary intern at Aggieland Safari, representing University Honors as a University Scholar, and serving as a Biomedical Sciences Ambassador for the College of Veterinary Medicine. In my spare time, I enjoy playing volleyball, attending concerts, and reading classic literature.

Research has been transformative in my undergraduate experience, and I hope to couple my veterinary background with my newfound passion for honey bee conservation in the future.

Howdy! I am a junior chemical engineering major with a minor in computer science from Bangalore, India. I first got involved in undergraduate research during my freshman year, starting this early helped me easily chose a major I was interested in before applying through the ETAM process. My current research under Dr Cheng in the Department of Chemical Engineering focuses on soft matter, specifically liquid crystals. My project focuses on determining whether Cellulose Nano Crystals (derived from cellulose, the most abundant polymer on Earth) can be used in technological devices and other application as an economic alternative. Performing experiments in the lab using methods and concepts learnt in my classes has given me a better grasp on the physical meaning of this material.

Apart from research I’m also involved in a few other campus organisations and activities such as College of Engineering Student Ambassadors and American Institute of Chemical Engineers where I actively participate and the Academic Success Center where I work as a peer tutor.

Getting involved in research early on has provided me with a lot of opportunities. I was able to participate in the undergraduate thesis program at LAUNCH where I gained valuable research and writing skills and I was able to get in to the Engineering REU program here at Texas A&M for the summer, due to my previous research experience. Additionally, Undergraduate research has helped me realize my dream of going to grad school to pursue PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Howdy, my name is Jenna Glotfelty, and I am a class of 2024 psychology major with a minor in women and gender studies. My research focuses on the impact of emotional and physical arousal on attentional networks and different types of attention. I am also conducting research on the impact of caffeine on cognitive processes with focus on attention and learning. I hope to eventually continue my journey in research in graduate school and one day gain my PhD in clinical psychology. 

Howdy! My name is Candy Gonzalez and I'm a psychology major originally from Austin, TX. Upon completing my bachelors degree I hope to continue my education and obtain a Ph.D in social psychology. I hope to teach psychology to other students at a university so I may also conduct research.

I began my research career my second year here after being in a class with Dr. Hicks. I took his course, existential psychology and instantly fell in love with the topic. I had known I wanted to be involved in research but I didn't know which lab to join until this class. Dr.Hicks offered any interested students a position in his research lab, so I jumped at the opportunity and have been in it ever since! Both Dr. Hicks and Dr. Schlegal run the EPC lab and within this lab there are several grad students who focus on different projects that all relate back to existentialism. Existential psychology focuses on finding various ways that lead to meaning in life, ways to enhance any feelings of awe one may experience. 

I have worked with a few different grad students in this lab where I gained experience interviewing participants, observing students in a classroom and conducting surveys. My current research focuses on finding the relationship between mystery and meaning in which we hypothesized that when one engages in a mysterious experience they would also experience higher levels of meaning. Being involved in research has helped me discover what area of psychology I wanted to focus on and gave me an insight on what to expect for grad school! I'm very passionate about the research I do and anything related to psychology! 

I am a sophomore chemistry major from San Juan, Texas minoring in physics and mathematics. I am currently doing research under Dr. Sarbajit Banerjee and my plans after graduation are to attend graduate school where I will obtain a PhD in chemistry. In addition, I plan to become a professor and lead my own research group. My current focus is on inorganic and physical chemistry, though I enjoy other areas of chemistry such as organic chemistry. When I am not in the chemistry building I am doing my duties as a Century Scholars mentor, practicing for Quiz Bowl, or playing board games. 

My undergraduate research experience began when I assisted Dr. Meigan Aronson in her lab on the second semester of my freshman year. I then joined Dr. Banerjee’s research group in the summer following my freshman year where I worked on the synthesis of magnesium nanowires and different phases of hafnium dioxide. Working under Dr. Banerjee has been an eye-opening experience and it has made me realize that I want to solve problems that hinder technological advancements. I have also been accepted into MIT’s Summer Research Program and cannot wait to share my experiences with other undergraduates, as well as incoming freshman.
 

Howdy! I am a Senior Biology major from Baytown, Texas. I am very involved in the University and Biology Honors Programs, and am completing both an Undergrauduate Research Scholars Capstone and an Undergraduate Leadership Scholars Capstone. I am also active in the University Bands as a clarinet player.

I started my undergraduate research experience in Dr. Rosenthal's lab studying swordtail fish hybrids in Calnali, Mexico. My focus has been in mate choice selection and animal behavior. I have also joined Dr. MacKenzie's lab where I study olive ridley sea turtles. We are trying to determine if this species feeds during the nesting season as the females have two different nesting behaviors that are not genetically based. We are doing field research in Ostional, Costa Rica and will begin hormonal assays on our blood samples after the field season. 
 

Howdy! My name is Emily and I am a Biology major and Psychology minor from Houston, Texas. After graduating from Texas A&M, I have very high hopes of attending medical school and becoming a Dermatologist, and specializing in surgical and cosmetic dermatology. I am currently undergraduate researcher in Dr.Blackmon's lab. As a student in the Biology Honors Program and being in Dr. MacKenzie's class I felt a strong passion for evolutionary biology and an urge to participate in undergraduate research. With my love for technology and evolutionary biology I came across Dr. Blackmon's lab and immediately felt at home. My lab specifically focuses on two major realms of biology, firstly being genome evolution and the second being the development of various methods and databases for data analysis in biology. I am currently working on my own research project regarding y chromosome evolution using beetles as a model species. In my project, I am extracting as well as sequencing multiple sets of DNA from 7 species of beetles, males and females, to later code and identify specific genes pertinent to and specific to the male sex. I will then create Y chromosome assemblies for each species to allow the first comparative genomic analysis of Y chromosome content across a large taxonomic sampling of species. In my free time, I enjoy playing piano, listening to music, working out, involving myself at church, hanging out with friends, and involving myself in creative activities. I love being able to explore and learn more about the world and if the opportunity arises I am always down for a new adventure and a way to grow my mind. If anyone has any questions about joining Undergraduate Research or have any questions about my experience I am happy to help and talk to you!

Howdy! I am a senior from The Woodlands, Texas pursuing a major in biomedical engineering with a minor in materials science. I am the president of Photography Club and very passionate about art. When I'm not researching, I can be found taking pictures, cooking, hiking, or trying to learn something new. I plan on getting my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering with a research focus on tissue engineering and synthetic biology. I want to work on generating replacement organs for people who have suffered organ failure.

I entered college as a general engineering major possibly thinking about mechanical engineering, but after meeting with the biomedical ambassadors, I decided that BMEN would be the best for me. During my physiology class, one of the professors told me about research going on in his building; researching regeneration in mammals. That conversation led me to Dr. Ken Muneoka and Dr. Lindsay Dawson. Now, I have been researching under them for almost 2 years now. Our research is in investigating the regenerative qualities of mammals, specifically focusing on limb and digit regeneration. We want to understand the processes involved in a regenerative response to an amputation, and how to improve these regenerative responses. In humans and mice, the main regenerative response studied is the amputation of the terminal phalanx bone, aka the fingertip. Our research focuses on what differentiates this response versus the typical bone amputation response that ends in bone truncation and scar formation. We hope to use this information to help people who undergo these amputations regrow lost limbs or fingers. Under their guidance, I completed the Undergraduate Research Scholars program, where my team and I compared the wound environments in a regenerative and induced-regeneration models.

My research experience has provided me with many things; experience and knowledge that will help me in my applications to graduate school, a group of friends to discuss life with, and a set of mentors that have pushed me to be a better person and student. Research has greatly improved my undergraduate experience and I’m eager to help others find research that does the same for them.

Howdy! A few things about me, I am a Biomedical Sciences major class of 2024 from Fort Worth, TX. I am a member of the Redox and Cell Signaling laboratory which studies the biochemical mechanisms involved in muscle atrophy, and I have been involved since Fall 2022. We specifically study how the presence of reactive oxidative species affects muscle atrophy in cases of disuse due to aging, disability, zero gravity space flight, or due to an underlying pathology such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Being a part of a research lab has greatly impacted me and my goals! I learn material that I never get to learn in my classes, and I get hands-on experience in common laboratory experiments and protocols, such as western blotting.
Outside of the lab, I am a part of Texas A&M Emergency Care Team, an on campus student run organization that trains its members in emergency medicine to go out and volunteer with TAMU EMS. I am also a TA for the Biomedical Microbiology laboratory. In my free time I enjoy reading, writing, crocheting, and I am an avid animal lover! After graduation I plan to pursue a career in microbiology with a focus on medical laboratory science and genetics. 
If you ever have any questions about how to get involved in Undergraduate Research or my other experiences then please feel free to reach out!

My name is Ashley Hayden and I am a proud member of the fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2019. However, you can call me Ashley “has to go to lab after this” Hayden… it’s what my friends know me for! Coming into college, I thought I was going to go to medical school and become an ER physician. However, after joining Dr. Merlin’s lab in the Department of Biology, everything changed. I found my true passion in investigating the biology of an incredibly unique organism: the monarch butterfly.

My research project seeks to discover more about how organisms are able to sense magnetic fields. Previous research has shown that the protein cryptochrome (cry) is very likely involved in chemical-based magnetoreception ability. My ongoing project seeks to use genetic methods to determine the function of two cryptochromes in the monarch butterfly’s ability to sense magnetic fields, one of the least understood senses in nature. My approach is to test if CRISPR/Cas9 knockout mutations in the monarch genes Drosophila-like cryptochrome 1 (dpCry1) and vertebrate-like cryptochrome 2 (dpCry2) impair magnetoreception ability. Summarized, I am getting rid of certain genes and seeing if that affects magnetic sensing ability. 

Outside of the lab, you can find me involved in many different honors and mentoring positions, such as taking University Scholars classes and being an ambassador for the Biology Honors program. I also privately tutor STEM courses and used to be a Supplemental Instructor (SI) for Biology 111 and 112, which was incredibly fun. With that all being said, help is always given to those who ask for it, so please ask me if you ever need anything! I am always happy to help.
 

Howdy! My name is Marissa and I am a junior public health major from Austin, Texas! After I graduate, I plan on attending medical school and eventually becoming a pediatrician. Outside of school, I love to dance! I have been dancing since I was 18 months and have been teaching dance for a few years now. I've always known I wanted to be a doctor, but my love for medicine, helping people, especially those who are underrepresented, and working with kids solidified my plan on becoming a pediatrician. I first started my research the second semester of my freshman year. My research primarily focuses on renal lymphatic and hypertension. Throughout my two years, I have worked on different projects. My first semester, I focused specifically on lymphatic endothelial cells and its connection to hypertension. I did a lot of cell culture which allowed for me to treat different cells with hypertensive stimuli and look at different lymphatic genes to see which ones were up or down. I also performed a scratch assay to examine the migration and proliferation of the cells. This past semester, I worked with human lymphatic endothelial cells and mouse mesometrium to visualize blood and lymphatic vessels. Hypertension is a major public health problem that many people suffer with, so being able to do research on it is very rewarding. My research experience has been one of the best experience I've had in my time as an undergraduate student. I've learned so many new scientific concepts and experiences that are very helpful for the medical field and I've learned so much about myself. Research has personally given me more confidence in myself and my abilities. I want to be able to share these experiences and hopefully show other undergraduate students that research is definitely something they should participate in. 

I am a senior Genetics major from Spring, Texas, working to go to veterinary school. I plan on applying to the DVM/PhD program at Texas A&M and earn a PhD in Genetics so I can focus on equine genetics and medicine in the future.  My passion is to explore the genetics behind performance and conformation to improve the quality of food animals and sport horses in the US and I hope to work with species conservation as well. Steve Irwin and Temple Grandin are my heroes. Besides my studies, I work as a veterinary technician at an equine hospital on weekends and I am the Volunteer Coordinator of the TAMU Biochemistry and Genetics Society. For fun I love to do weightlifting and riding my ex-racehorse, Shrek. 

I started working in my first lab the summer after freshman year with Dr. Heaps in the veterinary school on cardiovascular physiology of porcines to be related to human cardiovascular diseases.  I currently work under Dr. Davis and Dr. Andersson on projects including HMGA2 in mice and using computational genomics to find genes related to increased antler size in white-tailed deer. 

The experience I have gained through research has made me a better student and more aware of myself and what I want to achieve. It has shown me the endless opportunities I have to explore ideas and create solutions. My experience has been so impactful that I cannot picture my future without being involved in some kind of research.

Howdy! My name is Ruth Mitchell, and I'm a senior from Pecos, TX pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences. I plan to get a Master of Science in Business from Texas A&M's Mays Business School after graduation and then pursue a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree.

I became involved in research at Texas A&M whenever I heard about how the Center for Translational Research of Aging and Longevity (CTRAL) was conducting clinical research. They conduct several studies that examine the relation between metabolism, exercise, and nutrition in relation to aging and diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). My involvement has included aspects in the clinic, laboratory, and working with data. Working as a part of such a large team, I have enjoyed seeing how all of the moving parts come together and working to learn as much as I can about each phase and part of the research projects.

This past semester I was able to present on some of this work at Student Research Week with a poster entitled, "Presence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is associated with Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, But Does Not Affect Functional Performance and Well-being." For this study, I analyzed data from our trial database and determined that the presence of OSA in COPD is associated with specific clinical conditions, while daily performance and well-being were maintained.

Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, volunteering, cooking, and spending quality time with friends and family. Undergraduate research has become one of my favorite things about Texas A&M, and I would love to share how it might become part of your story.

Howdy! I'm a Political Science student from Houston, Texas; my area of research is Sociology. When I'm outside the classroom, I enjoy reading and playing piano.

I got involved in undergraduate research my sophomore year; I was in a sociology class about race and ethnicity, and it was one of the first classes which sparked curiosity for me outside the classroom. I found myself reading up on the subject matter outside of class out of my own volition. At the end of the semester, my professor, who was a PhD candidate at the time, gave me the opportunity to help with his research. His dissertation was about the language of state legislation as it appertains to HIV and AIDS inclusivity.

My current research project began in Fall 2019. I initially joined a research team of undergraduate students in the Aggie Research Program conducting an ethnographic service-learning research project about childhood food insecurity in the Brazos Valley. In Spring 2019, I became the team leader. Part of the project entails volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of the Brazos Valley. I never expected research to bring me closer to my community outside of the academic space, and I’ve been both surprised and enriched by the children that we work with.

I’m also currently working as an editor for a professor in the international studies department who is writing a book about Chinese political rhetoric. Her book has engaged me in rhetorical devices which I was previously unaware of, and I’m excited about how much I’m learning.

Undergraduate research has been the most impactful activity that I have participated in. The interactive aspect of research has been incredibly rewarding, and I feel lucky that research has led me to new and exciting experiences, strengthened my work ethic, and given me knew ways to analyze the world we live in.

I am a junior Biomedical Engineering major and an Astrophysics minor from College Station, Texas. In addition to being an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, I am part of Engineering Honors as well as being a Grand Challenge Scholar. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. to specialize in cardiac mechanics where I can solve open problems that relate to the diseases of the heart.   

I began working in Dr. Michael Moreno’s lab during the Spring semester of my sophomore in the area of lymphatic mechanics. Furthermore, my research focuses on studying the effects of shear stress and strain on the mechanotransduction of lymphatic endothelial cells. This research carries a significant impact given that it helps us understand anomalies such as edema in addition to expanding the horizons of a relatively new field. When I am not doing research, you can find me hiking, drawing, or writing poetry.

Hello! My name is Katherine Jaffe and I am a senior psychology major, gaining a double minor in neuroscience and film studies. I have been involved in a variety of research within the Psychological and Brain Sciences department from social psychology, cognitive neuroscience to now behavioral and cellular neuroscience. I am currently involved in addiction research where we investigate compulsive-seeking with cocaine using of rodent models. We ask questions concerning the persistent seeking and taking of cocaine despite outcomes of foot shock punishment. As well, we are interested in the neurological mechanisms that may underlie this behavior through the dorsal later striatum(DLS) and the dorsal medial striatum(DMS).

My current project is looking at how repeated contingent punishment effects rodent resistance or sensitivity to foot shock punishment. As well, I will be consulting possible behavioral sex differences that arise when rats are exposed to continuous foot shock. With the experiences and skills I have developed through research, I aspire to gain a Psy.D or MD in order to pursue a career in the mental health field.

Howdy! My name is Aisha Jalal and I am a public health major in my junior year from Sugar Land, Texas. After obtaining my Bachelor's degree in public health, I plan to pursue a Master's degree in public health at a university in Texas. While pursuing my Master's degree, I plan to simultaneously continue my research in public health. After completing my Master's degree, I intend to further my education and apply to medical school.

I began research with Dr. Ping Ma after my first year at Texas A&M University. I have now had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ma for 3 semesters on 2 projects. Our work together primarily focuses on the impact external factors have on the human body. My first project was a systematic review on horticulture therapy and analyzing its impacts on the psychosocial health and wellbeing of older adults. My role on the project was reading and extracting information from a plethora of scientific publications on nature-based interventions. After extracting this information, my research team and I cross checked and performed quality assessments on all articles that met the working protocol criteria. After being thoroughly filtered, this data was then imputed into a table which will be utilized in the published manuscript. My experience working on this project ignited my interest and passion for public health and research.

During the spring semester of my sophomore year, I joined Dr. Lei-Shih Chen and Dr. Ma's research team. Our current project focuses on creating a smoking-cessation program for pregnant women. This program aims to assist Texas women and their household members in quitting smoking during and after pregnancy. My role in this project is to create manuals and documents for participants and councilors to conduct counseling sessions. During my time thus far on this project, I have been fortunate to work with a supportive team and have further developed my critical thinking skills.

If anyone is interested in joining Undergraduate Research and has questions, I would love to help you!

As a Biomedical Sciences Major, pursuing a Biomedical Sciences Research Certificate, I am a proud member of the Class of 2021 from College Station, Texas! In addition to Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, I am part of the early assurance program known as PPC and a member of a religious organization known as THRIVE. I am also part of the Honors Student Council and Sophomore Adviser for the University Honors Students class of 2022. My hobbies include reading and creating music. A majority of my time is spent towards my research on Childhood Food Insecurity. As a team we go to the Boys and Girls club weekly and promote an after school club known as Positive Sprouts, helping the children learn how to garden with the limited resources that they may have. 

Right when I came to TAMU as a freshman, I was fortunate enough to be part of the Childhood Food Insecurity Research team that is mentored by Dr. Sarah Gatson. After a semester, I was able to lead my own team for the topic that I am truly passionate about. We do literary analysis on Childhood Food Insecurity to see and establish correlations between preexisting influential factors that gives growth to this detrimental crisis. 

This research has greatly impacted me to open my eyes and look past the rudimentary aspects of a social issue and try to find the root cause to mitigate this problem, at least in the community I currently reside in. Instead of simply trying to fix the problem momentarily, this research has given me a thirst to seek a way to eradicate the problem. I believe it is the way we frame a problem determines the kind of solutions that we get.

Howdy! I am a senior Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Major extremely interested in wildlife conservation research as it relates to Herpetology (reptile and amphibians). I have been involved in projects ranging from growth rates of Agamid lizards, to oral parisitology of panamanian snakes, to radio telemetry of the white lipped mud turtle in a montane system of Belize. More recently, my interests have gravitated towards discovering core ecological concepts of reptiles and amphibians and eventually using that information to create conservation action. 

I strongly believe that research is a three step process of learning, doing, and teaching. As such, I try my hardest to implement these three actions into my everyday life. As a student, I went into my classes with the perogative to learn as oppose to memorzie. As a researcher, I am constantly striving to find a new project, a new focus, or a new avenue to dive into. As an educator, I strive to bring students, the public, and those close to me into my life and show them what I find fascinating about wildlife, conservation and ecology.

My extra curricular avenues have lead me to be president of two student organizations (TAMU Zoological Society and the Aggie Animal Behavior Network); at one point of both at the same tim. I have volunteered for several years with The Urban Interface doing wildlife education all across the state of Texas. I, with a business partner, started an educational board game company that focuses of teaching key ecological concepts through the magic of games. I also started a professional blog and instagram that focuses very heavily on teaching wildlife and ecology through social media and wildlife photography (@Contemporary_Conservationist). All of these endeavors have been so that I can educate, influence, and create change in this world. 

My goals beyond my undergraduate career are clear. I want to acquire a Ph.D. and become an research and educator in academia. While I still have not figured out what school or program I want, I has a strong idea as to the field I want to study. I think that there is so much more to know in this world and through combining traditional research with contemporary techniques, I truley believe that we can learn an incredibly amount about our planet and the creatures that share it with us.

I am a sophomore Biochemistry and Genetics double major from Austin, Texas. My plans after graduation is focused on attending medical school. Aside from research, I enjoy playing badminton and trying out different restaurants.

I am currently an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Chapkin's lab. Our lab has previously shown that obesity can promote colonic stem cell expansion, resulting in cancer initiation. A recent publication from our lab further found that the hormone, adiponectin, which is downregulated in obese individuals, could be a key link between obesity and colorectal cancer. From these studies we hypothesize that adiponectin attenuates the initiation of colon cancer stemming via its agonist effects on its respective receptors in the Lgr5+ stem cells of colon crypts.  My research project is specifically focused on understanding the effect of disrupting this signaling pathway via genetically knocking out either adiponectin receptor 1 or its isoform, adiponectin receptor 2. This research will provide further insight into how obesity and the initiation of colorectal cancer are linked.

My experience in Undergraduate Research is one of the major components of my college career.Science was always in books, simple lab settings, and on the internet. Much of science experienced before undergraduate research already had an answer to them. However, research has opened my eyes to a whole new world where there is still so much to be discovered. From research, I have gained so much so far and am very excited to gain more in the future.

Thanks for looking at my profile!

I transferred to Texas A&M in January 2022 after graduating from Dallas College and currently study chemical engineering. After I get my bachelor's in 2024, I'll be staying another year to get a master's. Ultimately, I'd like to get a PhD focusing on renewable energy conversion and storage technologies and continue developing these technologies afterward. However, before this I'd also like to work in industry to save money which can support my family so that I can pursue my PhD without worrying about their financial security and pay off my loans.

Studying chemical engineering came out of my desire to help find new solutions in how we can harvest and consume energy in an environmentally sustainable way. This is reflected in my research projects of electrochemical energy storage and electrocatalysis under Dr. Abdoulaye Djire. In the energy storage field, I seek to design new battery and supercapacitor devices which are safer and cheaper than commercial devices without sacrificing performance. In the electrocatalysis field, I test and optimize materials and devices which use renewably-source electricity to convert atmospheric CO2 and water into the same liquid fuels and chemicals which are conventionally produced from nonrenewable sources such as petroleum.

As an ambassador, I'm hoping to get the message across to other undergraduates that we already can make the kind of world we want for our future by getting involved in research. Doing so can provide significant insight into how your career or field of study may look in the following decades as well as accessible professional and technical development resources to help accelerate your career readiness before graduating. Even if you're not certain about graduate school, I think it's an experience worth trying.

Howdy! My name is Wadiah Khan and I am a Biology Honors and Psychology major at A&M on the pre-medical track. One of the main reasons why I chose A&M is because of how strong the research community is. Even though my freshman year was online due to the limitations of COVID, I was eager to begin my journey in undergraduate research studying C. difficile, a bacteria that occupies the gut microbiota, under Dr. Daniel Paredes-Sabja in the Department of Biology. Pursuing research has allowed me to strengthen my knowledge of biology while honing my ability to communicate scientific research to the public through scientific conferences, poster presentations, and DataBlitz pitches. These experiences have allowed me to contribute to the goal of novel therapeutics for C. difficile infection (CDI), which is pertinent as CDI may recur up to 30% of the time. I aspire to apply everything I gained through research as a general surgeon, for which I would also be working with the digestive tract! As a physician, not only do I hope to support underserved populations here in Texas, but also in my home country of Bangladesh. If you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to reach out.

I am a junior at Texas A&M University from Cypress, Texas currently pursuing a major in meteorology with a minor in oceanography. I have been passionate about meteorology since I was a small child, and I am pursuing a career in atmospheric science research. In addition to undergraduate research, I am a member of a number of other on-campus organizations. This includes being a member of the Texas A&M University Honors Program, a Student Recruiter for the College of Geosciences Undergraduate Recruitment Team, a member of the Texas A&M Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (TAMSCAMS), and an officer for the Texas Aggie Storm Chasers (TASC). In my free time you can find me participating in one of my many hobbies, such as playing racquetball, storm chasing, making videos, or operating a HAM radio.

I became involved in research my freshman year when I joined the Texas A&M Green Roof Project under Dr. Don Conlee. The Texas A&M Green Roof Project is an interdisciplinary research project focused on a living green roof and wall on the Langford Architecture building. As a member of this project, I assist other researchers in using meteorological equipment to research various aspects of green roof technology. We presented our work at the 2017 American Meteorological Society Student Conference in Seattle, Washington and at the 2017 Texas Weather Conference in Austin, Texas. In addition to this project, I am also currently assisting Dr. Robert Korty on investigating the patterns and behaviors of tropical cyclones in past climates. Our current focus is analyzing environmental parameters in relation to tropical cyclone formation and intensification in climate simulations of the last 22,000 years. We are also investigating how changes in global climate might affect these environmental parameters, and thus tropical cyclones, in the future.

Howdy! My name is James (J.D.) and I am a senior mechanical engineering major with a minor in economics from Pearland, Texas. For almost two years, I have conducted undergraduate research under my advisor, Dr. Thomas Lacy, Jr. During this time, I have worked on multiple projects. I began my research career conducting post-crash fire forensic analysis on aerospace composites. After a short time, I joined Dr. Lacy's Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory (HVIL). The HVIL focuses on high-strain rate materials characterization through impact by projectiles accelerated to hypervelocity (up to 22,000 mph). This unique testing environment allows us to tailor structures to mitigate hypervelocity impacts for defense and aerospace applications. After a year in research, I embarked on my own research project through the Undergraduate Research Scholars program. My project focused on performing diagnostics on the state-of-the-art two-stage light gas gun that accelerates the projectiles. I investigated the performance of a sabot "œpackage" that carries the projectile towards the target. At some point, this package must be discarded through separation. I developed empirical models to help predict this separation during testing. The future of this project involves including simulation and scaling factors to understand sabot separation at a much larger testing scale. My research will help to characterize sabot separation in the novel, one-kilometer long Ballistic, Aero-Optics, and Materials (BAM) hypersonics test range currently under construction at the $130 million George H.W. Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) at the RELLIS campus. Over the last two years, research has become my life; it has allowed me many opportunities that my peers did not have access to. My goal is to convey the knowledge of these opportunities to other undergraduate students in the hope that they can experience everything research has to offer.

My name is Sangji Lee (I go by David) and I am in junior year for biomedical science from Plano, Texas. I am in a neuroscience/psychology lab under Dr. Brian Anderson since my first semester of sophomore year. I started learning coding, cognitive psychology and other basic knowledge required for lab works from no background knowledge. I struggled a lot had hard time in the beginning. However, Dr. Anderson and other graduate students showed me that all of the given resource comes together with proper approach to a question we want to figure out. I have learned research is not about being smart or significantly outstanding only but pure curiosity and passion towards your research are the main core of your fundamental base.

After first semester, I started to get some more hands on experience such as collecting data, writing analysis code, writing manuscript, and different process of research. With more experience I have now, I can clearly see my heart for research and want to share this feeling to others. I will gladly share my experience, hear any hardship in research, and be here for students to move forward.

I am a junior from Magnolia, Texas pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. I am passionate about diversity and inclusion and am a member of the Student Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I am also a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. I plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and focus my research on the experiences of stigmatized individuals in the workplace. When I am not in the lab, I enjoy playing volleyball, cooking, and watching basketball. 

I joined Dr. Isaac Sabat's research lab in the spring of 2017, and since then have also worked with Dr. Winfred Arthur and Dr. Mindy Bergman. I have assisted with several research projects, including studies on stigmas surrounding atheism, pregnancy, and political ideology. I have also worked on a grant in partnership with the Aerospace Engineering department here at A&M for which I helped to design a survey to assess the diversity of their department as well as their retention. Currently, I am writing a review piece with Dr. Sabat and his graduate students which synthesizes the current literature on confronting prejudice in the workplace in order to identify the gaps in confrontation research and to direct future work on the matter. I am also working on my own project that examines how the different dimensions of sexist actions interact to effect the perceptions of the victims and perpetrators of sexism and sexual harassment. The ability to pursue research on topics I am passionate about has allowed me to excel in my academic career. I hope to help other students reach their full potential as well through undergraduate research.

I am a Biochemistry major from Alexandria, Louisiana, and a proud member of the fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2018! While I do put a lot of time into my scientific studies, I love learning about many other topics and expanding my perspective. During my time at Texas A&M, I have been involved with the University Honors Program, MSC Freshmen in Service and Hosting (FISH), and MSC L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness. I am also a University Scholar, a member of the Biochemistry and Genetics Society, a Group Fitness Instructor at the TAMU Rec Center, and a volunteer at the Aggieland Humane Society. I enjoy watching Netflix, playing video games, reading and writing fictional stories, or chilling in local coffee shops with my friends!

As a freshman, I became involved in Undergraduate Research as a member of the Michael E. DeBakey Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. I worked on a team led by Dr. Thomas Stiles and Dr. Christopher Quick that studied renal fluid dynamics and aimed to develop a mathematical model that could be used clinically to show how different factors affect renal function. At the end of my freshman year, I was chosen as a Beckman Scholar, and through this program, I currently lead an independent research project as a member of Dr. Dorothy Shippen’s lab researching telomere biology. Telomeres are repeating sequences of nucleotides and associated proteins found on the end of DNA chromosomes. They protect chromosome ends from being perceived as damaged DNA and thus preserve the chromosome as a whole, much like aglets (the plastic tips of shoelaces) protect the ends of shoelaces from fraying and shortening. The goal of my project is to investigate the individual roles of telomere-associated proteins, and to advance understanding of how telomeres provide stability for chromosomes. I enjoy serving as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador this year and always look forward to sharing my passion and knowledge about research with the Texas A&M community!

Howdy! My name is Yilin Li, and I am a senior Economics major with a minor in Mathematics and Women and Gender Studies. After graduating in May 2024, I will be a research assistant at the Federal Reserve Bank in Chicago, supporting the Regional team on academic Economics research and FOMC policy.
I was introduced to research by the amazing Claye Epperson in my freshman year. Since then, I have worked under different professors at Texas A&M and across the country. Additionally, I joined a research team working on Leontief multipliers with Dr. Cohn in the Texas A&M Sociology department to understand development and economic growth. Later, with Dr. Patterson at the Booth Business School at UChicago, I worked on multiple projects involving labor and macro economics. Currently, I am writing my senior thesis alongside Dr. Naufal and Dr. Strickland in the Texas A&M Economics department, focusing on abortion access in the United States. Starting my senior spring semester, I am joining a large team on consumer access to healthcare with Dr. Haeder at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. I fully recommend working in different departments as a social sciences/liberal arts major, exploring how the same core research questions are answered in different ways across academia.

In class, I researched the Texas Crime Victim's Compensation Program, which helps survivors of sexual assault with related expenses, later presenting this at the Texas State Capitol's Undergraduate Research Day. Outside of research, I interned twice in Washington D.C. with the Department of Justice's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Office and Council of Economic Advisors at the White House under the Biden Administration. At the White House, I created economic analysis with Dr. Hlatshwayo to aid the Chair in briefing the President on economic conditions nationally and abroad.  These experiences shaped my research questions and helped me understand how policy decisions are made.

In my free time, I love to boulder, hike, listen to Taylor Swift, paint, and order tea in unique coffeeshops. Research and the people I have met through research has completely changed the trajectory of my life and provided me with opportunities I never knew were possible. If anything I have done interests you or if I can help you discover a love for research, please reach out!

Howdy! My name is Amira T. Mazzawy and I am an English major with a minor in psychology from Shokan, NY (Yes I know, quite far!). My passion lies in writing, and it is my lifelong dream to become a novelist. I am currently working on my senior capstone project of finishing my first fantasy novel, Two Worlds.

My first experience in research came from the Aggie Creative Collective and the Undergraduate Research Scholars Thesis Program. For my project "Two Worlds: A Study Of The History, Mythology And Culture Of Celtic Origins", I researched the history, mythology and culture of the Celtic people during the Iron Age. I did this research to develop the world of my fantasy novel, Two Worlds. In my novel there is an alternate dimension where all mythological creatures of the world exist, and they escaped to this dimension when their cultures were taken over by monotheistic religions or other cultures. These mythological creatures never move beyond the era in which they escaped from. Since Celtic mythological creatures are center to the conflict in my novel, I decided to focus my research on Celtic people. I then wrote my novel up to the point of where my main character encounters a village populated by Celtic mythological creatures that I created based on my research. I plan to continue research for my novel with my capstone project, where I will do further research into other worldly mythologies and cultures that are relevant to my novel's plot.

In 2020, my short story "A Great Goliath" won 1st Place for the Sci-Fi Fantasy Award. I also had my poems "Reaching" published by the English Aggie and "Doughy Cookies Are Never Enough" published by The Eckleburg Project.

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!

Howdy! I'm from College Station Texas, and am a proud member of the Texas A&M Class of 2018! I am pursing a double major in Genetics and Animal Science with minors in Biochemistry and Plant Breeding. In addition to being an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, I am currently serving as President of Biochemistry & Genetics Society and Scholarship Chair of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

My dream is to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. program and to center my research around xenotransplantation, using genetic engineering to create pigs that will produce organs that are viable and safe for transplantation into humans, and to specialize in multi-organ collection surgeries from these pigs. I would love to place life-saving organs into the hands of surgeons who will implant them into some of the 115,000+ Americans that are currently on waiting lists.

My undergraduate research experience at Texas A&M has been a huge blessing. The projects I am currently involved in use the CRISPR-Cas9 system to engineer DNA, creating animal models for medical research, improving the efficiency of food production, and curing highly-heritable genetic diseases in animals. I have also done industry research at Sexing Technologies, focusing on flow cytometry, and will be working for Thermo Fisher Scientific this summer.

I am a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a focus on Biomechanics from Houston, Texas and am a loud proud member of the Class of 2019! During my time at Texas A&M, I have immersed myself into just as many extracurriculars/research as academics because I find having a good balance of both helps me grow and discover myself.  In the past I have been involved with FREE, was captain of a dance team called Akh Mastani, and was secretary for Lambda Sigma Sophomore Honor Society. I am currently a peer mentor for Engineering Regent’s Scholars, involved in the Maroon & White Leadership society, PLSP, BMES, and Aggie Riveters. In my spare time, I enjoy trying new foods, exploring new parts of campus, and attending unique fitness classes. I hope in the future to attend graduate school with intentions of eventually ending up in the design industry to work on research and development of medical devices. 

As a sophomore, I became involved in Undergraduate Research working in Dr.Akhilesh Gaharwar’s iNanoTE laboratory. My current undergraduate research project focuses on 3D printing biomaterial ink scaffolds which can be implanted in the human body. I am thankful to have had the chance to grow over the past two years in this lab and am now working on my own project studying polymers that can be used to create a stimulus responsive ink. The summer between my sophomore and junior year, I had the opportunity to go to the Indian Institute of Technology in Gandhinagar, India through the Summer Research Internship Abroad Engineering Program at Texas A&M. During my time there, I focused on exploring dissolution and toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications. Not only did I walk away with tangible results and a new perspective on research, but I gained special friendships and connections I couldn’t get anywhere else. The beginning of my junior year I joined the Cardiovascular Pathology Lab at Texas A&M where student workers assist pathologists in reviewing and analyzing medical devices pre and post market. This FDA approved lab has given me the opportunity to combine research with industry and has provided me a unique twist to the typical laboratory experience. 

I am grateful to be attending a university which values and gives chance to delve into different types of research. The skills I have acquired and strengthened are ones that can be carried on throughout a lifetime. Research has redefined my college experience and I encourage everyone to dip their toes into the giant ocean of opportunities available at Texas A&M University.
 

I am a senior Chemistry major from Houston, Texas. I’m also working towards a minor in mathematics and materials science and engineering. After graduation I am gearing towards graduate school to obtain my PhD but my other option is to look for a job in industry as an inorganic chemist to help reduce our carbon footprint by increasing energy efficiency while decreasing carbon emissions by creating alternative fuels. I am very involved in the chemistry department, as I am a part of the American Chemical Society, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, and the Organization for Cultural Diversity in Chemistry, as well as working in the Organic Stock Room in the chemistry department and doing research. Although my love for chemistry is a big part of my life I love to curl up on my couch and watch Netflix or play video games like the true couch potato that I am. I also love to volunteer and you can always find me volunteering at the chemistry open house, performing chemistry demos for younger kids in grade school and working CARPOOL on the weekends.
 
My undergraduate research experience began the summer after my freshman year as I was accepted in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program the Chemistry Department holds along side the TAMU Chemistry REU. I had the privilege to work under Dr. Sarbajit Banerjee. My project that summer focused on integrating CdS quantum dots with vanadium dioxide for charge transfer. On this project I fell in love with inorganic chemistry. Since that summer I have continued to work under Dr. Banerjee on another on going project concerning “Smart” windows which once completed would regulate the temperature inside of homes with minimal aid of air conditioners. I’ve also had the amazing opportunity to intern in a chemical laboratory in Germany this past summer where I focused on mesoporous metal oxides for photocatalysis. The memories and experiences I have gained form research are definitely things I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I am a senior psychology major from Tyler, Texas. I have been apart of Dr. Orr's CONGA lab for two years now and just completed the Undergraduate Research Scholar Program where I completed a thesis on the interactions between binge drinking and executive function in college students. I also volunteer for Texas A&M's Student Counseling Helpline. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and playing with my cat, Milo. 

Howdy! My name is Alex Peters, and I'm a junior Statistics major from Dallas, Texas. I got involved with undergraduate research through a program called First Year Eats. First Year Eats is dedicated to combating the problem of food insecurity on college campuses through free cooking lessons and ingredients/snacks, and I was brought onto the team to create a mathematical model for understanding the impacts of First Year Eats on student GPA.

My project started with a dataset consisting of anonymized student information on demographics and membership in First Year Eats. Then, I specifically focused on identifying subsets of demographic factors that strongly correlate with GPA, and then using those factors in conjunction with information on membership in First Year Eats to build a linear model for predicting GPA. The mathematical model I created separated the impact on GPA due to the demographic factors I chose from the impact on GPA due to membership in First Year Eats, allowing an honest comparison of the GPA's between students who did and did not participate in First Year Eats. In the end, my work was used to obtain another year of funding for the program, and thus another year of helping keep freshmen fed and healthy.

In my free time, you can see me (mostly my hair) behind the drum set at Texas A&M basketball games. I also play guitar in a local band, independently write and produce my own music, and tutor for introductory statistics classes. I love the mountains, trees, rivers, and hikes; I'm quite happy with anything that lets me be outside.

I really could not be more excited to be a part of this program, and would love the opportunity to talk with anyone interested in pursing undergraduate research!

Howdy! My name is Madelyn and I am currently a senior working on a degree in Political Science with minors in Psychology and Communication. Needless to say, social science is my thing. Specifically, understanding the effects of media on political attitudes and behavior fascinates me. When you consider the ever evolving nature of communication and technology as well as the increasingly polarized political climate – there are constantly new questions to explore. How have smartphones changed the way we learn and think about politics? What role, if any, does human psychology have in deciding our political preferences? When is news biased? Moreover, how do our own biases affect our evaluation of news and politics as a whole? All of these are questions that have motivated my research at some point.

I initially got involved in research after taking Mass Media and American Politics with Dr. Johanna Dunaway. Not only was I extremely interested in the material, but I also saw how passionate she was about her work. Once I realized that she essentially gets to learn for a living, that was it. I knew I had to find out more. Since reaching out to Dr. Dunaway, I’ve been knee deep in all things research. From data collection, coding, and analysis to running and coordinating experiments, and even traveling to conferences and giving a few presentations. Participating in research as an undergrad has without a doubt been the most rewarding experience of my college career. It’s completely changed the trajectory of my life and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share what I’ve gained from this experience with others. As important as research is to me, I take a break every now and then to focus on my other passions: figure skating, music, and my sweet 11 year old dachshund, Miller.

Howdy! My name is Michael Pitonak and I am currently a junior Biology major from Tyler, TX. After I complete my undergraduate studies, I plan on attending medical school with the hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand reconstruction.

My first experience with research was through a local research externship while I was in high school. The project I was a part of dealt with determining the roles of certain chromatin remodeling complexes inhibitors and how they can be manipulated to aid in the treatment of cancer. Through this experience, I gained first hand knowledge of how research is done and learned the great impact it can have on the society we live in today. This is what drew me to continue with research when I began my undergraduate studies here at Texas A&M.

When I first began to look into potential laboratories that I could apply to, I knew I wanted to study and learn more in the field of stem cell transplantation and neuroscience. Both of these fields are on the leading edge of discovery in science, since there is still an immense amount of information we do not know. This led me to join the lab of our leading neuroscience professors, Dr. Jennifer Dulin. Spinal cord injury is a devastating injury that affects over 300,000 people in the United States alone. Transplantation of stem cells, more specifically, Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs) into sites of spinal cord injury has a high potential for improving functional outcomes in affected individuals. However, little is understood about the many biological guidelines involved in making the NPC graft successful. My current project deals with determining the role of having a host/graft sex mismatch in the success of NPC transplants into sites of spinal cord injury. The results of my project could go on to modify some of the ways current clinical and preclinical trials perform their transplants, movings us a step closer to finding a treatment for spinal cord injuries. Being able to do this kind of research is an incredible opportunity that not many undergraduates have. The thought that I am able to implore my abilities into something that could potentially allow someone to stand from their wheelchair and walk again excites me and I am very grateful to be a part of it.

When I am not in the classroom or in the lab, you can usually find me either on one of the lakes or ponds in the Bryan/College Station area fishing and relaxing by the waterfront or at home jamming to some of my favorite jazz tunes on my guitar and saxophone. I also enjoy go out to the Texas A&M golf course with some of my friends and enjoy the beautiful outdoors we have in the area. Finally, if the weather is not looking so great, I enjoy curling up on the couch and watching Planet Earth or the Blacklist on Netflix.

If you are thinking about joining a lab or you want to learn more about undergraduate research, I would love to talk to you about it!

Howdy!! My name is Keerthana Prayaga and I'm a sophomore public health major. After graduation, I hope to attend Texas A&M's College of Medicine through the Partnership for Primary Care program and become a physician! I began my journey in research during high school assisting Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee with pancreatic cancer research at Johns Hopkins University. This experience helped me fall in love with research and I can't wait to help students across campus fall in love with it too! Currently, I am working as a coauthor  on a research project in neonatal health and toxicology with Dr. Natalie Johnson at the School of Public Health. Our research project is a human subjects study focused on investigating the lactational transfer of sulforaphane. SFN is a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables that has proven to activate antioxidant response pathways to protect against air pollution-induced adverse effects. Currently, we are evaluating if SFN and its metabolites are transferred to breast milk and if this can mitigate infant respiratory infection severity. With this project, I have had the incredible opportunity to help develop recruitment material, participant consent forms, dietary questionnaires, and logistical plans for breast milk sample pick up and storage. I have also been involved in data collection and the development of the analytical assay to measure SFN using HPLC-Mass Spectrometry. Additionally, I also assist in research at Dr. Shetty's lab within the College of Medicine. Conducting research at A&M has helped me meet many incredible scientists, friends, and mentors. It has helped me improve my communication, presentation, and networking skills along with finding a place at A&M for myself where I feel a sense of belonging. This has been an incredible experience for me and I truly hope that everyone can find the same joy in undergraduate research here at A&M!

I am a senior Chemical Engineering major from Denton, Texas and have worked as an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Green’s group for two years. In Dr. Green’s group, I work to develop scalable methods of making and functionalizing nanomaterials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and boron nitride nanosheets. My current project focuses on the addition of organic functional groups to nanosheets to compatibilize the sheets with polymer matrices. My experience in undergraduate research has inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering after I graduate. In the future, I hope to perform research in the application of nanomaterials to the development of sustainable energy sources, and eventually, I aim to become a professor so that I can help to develop the bright, young minds of the next generation. When I am not in the lab, I love to spend my time playing the viola in the Texas A&M Chamber Orchestra, assisting with events at my church, attending concerts, reading, and hiking.

Howdy, my name is Matthew “Brent” Price, and I am a senior Biomedical Sciences major and Neuroscience minor from College Station, TX. I currently serve as an officer for the Biomedical Sciences Association and have previously served as the Vice President for the International Student Mentor Association. My studies focus on biological systems and the neurobiology and psychology associated with health. I hope to apply my undergraduate work to my profession by attending medical school after graduation. When I am able, I enjoy spending time on projects involving woodworking and metalworking, visiting Texas state parks, attending concerts, and fishing.

As a research assistant, I have had the opportunity to work for Dr. Mary Meagher and Dr. Nancy Downing. In Dr. Meagher’s lab I assisted her PhD student, Fenan Rassu, MS, in his research concerning pain and decision making. My efforts in Dr. Meagher’s lab helped contribute to a growing body of research that aims to apply findings in pain modulation and experience to a clinical setting with chronic pain patients. In Dr. Downing’s lab, I am currently involved with a study investigating sexual assault and the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder. We hope to apply knowledge from that study to the continuing development of treatment strategies for victims of sexual assault.

I am a Nutrition major minoring in neuroscience, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. Upon graduating from Texas A&M, I plan to attend medical school and pursue a career in neurology. I have been a pharmacy tech for 3 years and served as MEDLIFE officer for 2 years.In addition, I participate in intramurals, research, and volunteer with my organizations. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, exercising, and traveling.  
I became involved in research through the Tier One Program for Collaborative Initiatives in Maternal, Perinatal and Infant Health Research. This research program has given me the invaluable opportunity to work alongside Dr. Louise Abbott in the department of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. The research we have been working on is the link between heavy metal exposure and the development of particular neurological aspects of zebrafish embryos. The metals of interest in our research are Cadmium and Nickel. After completing our research, our objective is to understand the synergistic effect of Nickel and Cadmium on brain development of zebrafish embryos. Participating in research has been incredible and enhanced my passion for science and the medical field.

Howdy! My name is Sofia and I am a Psychology major and Neuroscience minor, with a certificate in Applied Behavioral Health. I'm originally from Bogota, Colombia but I went to high school in Katy, Texas and I'm currently on the pre-PA (Physician Associate) track. I'm very passionate about mental health and psychology and decided to pursue my degree in Psychology to dive into that before going to PA school.

I started my research experience in the fall of my sophomore year in Dr. Burte's Spatial Thinking and STEM Learning Lab where I worked for three semesters. My project focused on investigating the way in which individuals navigate through space and how they think about directions. This experience opened up many opportunities for me within research and really taught me the value of participating in the research process. In Spring 2022 I transitioned to the CHANGE lab, led by Dr. Idia Thurston. This lab encompasses all the things that I am passionate about – healthcare, equity, mental health, diversity and empowerment among minority populations. I'm looking forward to learning more about these topics during the research process and applying that information and experience whenever I enter the healthcare field.

I am also a part of Texas A&M's MEDLIFE, an organization dedicated to providing healthcare and education through mobile clinics and development projects to communities in remote areas around the world. Outside of school and research, I enjoy cooking, reading, and spending time with the people I care about. I also love traveling and trying new food! After many semesters of research, I have grown in ways that I would have never just within the classroom. I truly believe that research is an irreplaceable experience, especially as an undergraduate, and I'm looking forward to helping others take advantage of this opportunity!

Howdy! My name is Ryan  and I am a junior from Lubbock, Texas. I recently served as the President of the American Medical Student Association and it is my dream to become a physician-scientist. Fortunately, my experience in a translational immunology/cell biology lab has provided me with the lessons and techniques that will help me along my journey. In the Gomer lab, we seek to understand how immune cells respond to pathogens and chemicals. Specifically, I have been working to characterize the proteins involved in the signaling pathway of phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf or eat large particles or pathogens and then degrade or digest them. Importantly, some pathogens can circumvent host defenses and survive within our immune cells after being engulfed using a secreted chain of phosphates called polyphosphate. Based on the foundational work of my fellow lab members, I was able to optimize and develop a novel assay to identify 4 proteins that are important for sensing the polyphosphate signal. If we are able to inhibit these proteins in our immune cells using new drug therapies, we may be able to induce phagocytosis of pathogenic bacteria that typically survive within our immune cells to treat diseases. Overall, research has taught me how to learn from failed experiments (which far outnumber the successful ones) using the teammates around me and critical interpretation of literature. I hope that I will be able to continue pushing science forward and that I can help incoming students become the next generation of leaders in science.

I am a Mechanical Engineering major from Sulphur Spring, Texas. When I am not studying or attending class I like to stay busy with different design teams such as Design Build and Fly.  I also enjoy staying fit by running around College Station and by playing anything with a ball in it at the Rec. I have multiple interests in the engineering and technology world that has lead me to be a bit of a drone and 3D printing enthusiast. 

It is my interest in 3D printing that has pushed me to research in the field of additive manufacturing, in particular a process called Selective Laser Melting which allows for the printing of 3D metal parts. I began this research at the start of my Junior year under the authority of Dr. Chao Ma and proctored by graduate student Ming Li. I lead my team to design and fabricate a vacuum chamber to be used along a student design laser station so that metallic powders could be researched more precisely. My experiences in the undergraduate research program have taught me not only how to tackle an open ended question but also on how to lead others so the team can achieve a task that is greater than the sum of its parts. I am willing to share my experiences with anyone who will listen whether it be about research, on campus jobs, or co-ops any of which I would be happy to discuss.
 

I am a junior Biomedical Science major with a minor in Neuroscience from College Station, TX. I was accepted early decision into the Teach for America corps where I will be teaching high school science in a low-income school district in the San Antonio area when I graduate.  

The first time I got involved in undergraduate research was the summer before my freshman year of college. There was a program in my high school that matched graduating seniors with labs on campus that needed undergraduate research assistants. It was through that program that I first met Dr. Merlin and worked with her for a semester on her monarch butterflies and circadian rhythm. This is also the reason I run away anytime I see a butterfly.

My existing research project is a little different than what I did with her. I am currently trying to fight Salmonella’s resistance to antibiotics with Dr. Helene Andrews-Polymenis. There are about 500 deaths each year in the united states from Salmonella and about 400,000 deaths each year worldwide. All of which are completely preventable. Even though Salmonella is a bacterium, we cannot treat it with antibiotics like with any other bacterial infection because it actually makes the symptoms worse and prolongs the infection time. The reason Salmonella is so resistant to antibiotics is because of a pump that sits on the outer cell wall of the bacteria that is constantly spitting out antibiotics. My research is focused on what exactly makes the pump work. So hopefully in the future this leads us to killing two birds with one stone. We can understand how the pump works and we can use that knowledge to treat those who have contracted Salmonella with its own defense mechanisms.

When I am not in the lab hanging out with my bacteria, you can usually find me in bed watching a cop show (Criminal Minds, Blue Bloods, Law and Order) or a doctor show (House, Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor). I think now is a good time to mention that if I seem a crankier than usual one day, it’s because I haven’t had a chance to meditate. I love doing yoga and have very recently started doing CrossFit as well. I also have a three-legged dog named Triple Threat, who I call Trip for short.
 

Howdy! My name is Vinesh, I am a junior at Texas A&M University. I am a Computer Science major with an emphasis area in Statistics. I have been doing research since my second semester here at the HUBBS (HUman Bio-Behavioral Signals) Lab. HUBBS focuses on the computational study of well-being and human behavior. During this time, I have worked on two projects which involve proposing a novel deep learning algorithm to better predict well-being outcomes and anonymization of clinical speech signals for privacy protection. My time doing undergraduate research here has helped me gain many skills including machine learning methods, new programming languages, working with speech data, working with sensor data, and speaking skills. It has also motivated me to pursue graduate school once I finish my undergraduate degree. I would like to continue focusing on machine learning research throughout graduate school. Joining research early in my time here was one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a UGR Ambassador I am happy to help anyone that wants to get involved in research!

Howdy! My name is Emily Read and I am an Animal Science major from Houston, Texas. After graduation, I plan to attend veterinary school and become a mixed practice veterinarian.

I am currently involved in equine physiology research under Dr. Chelsie Huseman. The focus of my current work is quantifying vibrational output and transmission from commonly utilized whole body vibration platforms to various tissues across the equine body. This project is what I focused my thesis on throughout my participation in the Undergraduate Research Scholars program during the 2021-2022 academic year. The goal of this project is to standardize how results are reported in the future for equine whole body vibration research, and to provide baseline values for what a normal, healthy horse is experiencing on these vibration platforms. This research may change how whole body vibration platforms are utilized across the equine industry, from the average horse owner to rehabilitators and veterinarians.

Over the past year, research has become a significant part of my academic development here at Texas A&M University. I have grown my skills of critical thinking, communication of complex ideas, writing, and public speaking. Having the chance to apply what I am learning in the classroom under such a supportive faculty advisor has taken me further than I ever could have imagined as an undergraduate.

We are fortunate enough to attend one of the largest research universities in the United States, and I believe all Aggies should have the chance to grow as an undergraduate researchers if they so desire. You do not have to have graduate or professional school aspirations; undergraduate research will still change your life for the better. I would love to talk to anyone who has questions or wants advice on how to find a research opportunity!

Howdy! My name is Noah  and I am a senior from Spring, Texas pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in Spanish. Before transferring to A&M, I began my research journey as an Honors student at Lone Star College-CyFair. This is ultimately what set me on the path of pursuing psychology, as I was fascinated by this subject and knew that it was something I could do for the rest of my life. Once transferring to A&M, I joined several research labs in Clinical and Social-Personality Psychology. These experiences have allowed me to develop strong relationships with mentors, conduct numerous individual research projects, and complete an honors thesis with Dr. Gerianne Alexander. My project examined the association between first names (forenames) and gender differences in psychological disorders. This was a unique project as this has never been examined before, and the results were fascinating. We found that when provided a forename with no additional information, participants' stereotypes of these names were consistent with the gender differences that we observe within personality and mental disorders. Although this research was one of the most challenging tasks I have ever completed, it has also been one of the most rewarding. Through conducting research, I have not only identified my passions and career aspirations as a future professor/researcher, but I have also become a more effective scholar, communicator, and leader. In addition to research, I am also a teaching assistant and tutor for psychology research methods and statistics. After graduating from A&M, I plan to pursue a PhD in Social-Personality Psychology. If you are intimidated by or hesitant to begin your own research journey, I would love to talk with you about it and show you that anyone can become involved regardless of their perceived capabilities, background, or experience. At the end of the day, we all have to start somewhere, so what better a time than now!

I am a senior from Palestine, Texas majoring in Applied Mathematics with an emphasis in ‘Actuarial Science. When I am not studying I spend my time as an ASPIRE Mentor, on the archery range, of working at Aggie STEM. Away from campus I enjoy crafting and being a mom to my kitten.

I began working for Drs. Robert and Mary Margaret Capraro at the beginning of my freshman year as an Undergraduate Research Assistant.  I have worked on projects from several different fields within STEM.  My first few projects, including my Student Research Week presentation, dealt with Spatial Drawing and the communication needed to accomplish a drawing task.  One of my most interesting projects was my presentation for Climate Matters 2016.  This presentation showed the diversity of students and teachers who attend Aggie STEM Summer Camps and why diversity is important in a classroom setting.  I am currently working with a diverse variety of research at Aggie STEM.

My research experience at Texas A&M has been amazing.  I have met many wonderful people along the way.  My mentors have helped guide me not only in research but in many of my college decisions.  I would never change my decision to become involved in research and encourage everyone I can to take the leap into research.

Howdy! My name is Sarah Rutherford, and I am a senior from Dallas, Texas, majoring in University Studies - Religious Thought, Practices, and Cultures Concentration (Religious Studies) with minors in French and Sociology. After graduating, I plan to attend seminary to pursue pastoral ministry. I first became involved in research as a freshman through the Aggie Research Program team "Overchurched, Underfed: Cultural Analysis of Religious Groups and Food Insecurity," a sub-team of the "Everybody Eats" project in the Texas A&M Department of Sociology. As a part of this team, I worked on a qualitative study of religious-affiliated food pantries through taking and analyzing ethnographic field notes. Under PhD candidate Andrew McNeely, we focused on the intersection of race and religion in food distribution programs. I am currently working on leading container garden installations on the grounds of local religious congregations as a means of creating an alternative way of religious-based food provision. In the 2020-2021 academic year, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Scholars program with my independent research project, "Called and Challenged: Examining the Experiences of Women Clergy in Brazos County and Harris County, Texas." For this study, I conducted open-ended interviews with women clergy and women who formerly served as clergy to better understand the factors which lead women clergy to leave pastoral ministry at higher rates than men clergy. Outside of my research, I enjoy working in youth ministry, reading, running, volunteering, and eating ice cream with my roommates. Undergraduate research has been one of the most transformational experiences of my college experience thus far, and I would love to talk with anyone who is considering undergraduate research, especially in the College of Liberal Arts!

Hi! My name is Katelyn Sanchez, and I am a senior Ecology and Conservation Biology major from Katy, Texas. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, being outside, and birding. After college, I plan to obtain a Master's degree and PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or a similar area of study. In particular, I plan to focus on either ornithology or mammalogy. From there, I would like to work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife or a non-profit like National Geographic. 

After switching my major, I discovered research labs that share my interests in ornithology and mammalogy. I've been involved in undergraduate research for a year with both Dr. Jessica Light and Dr. Gary Voelker. In the Voelker Lab, I research Avian Malaria prevalence in the Caucasus region of Armenia. My main responsibilities include using polymerase chain reactions to determine the presence or absence of Avian Malaria by parasite genera. Furthermore, I plan to look at Avian Malaria in relation to microbiomes for my Undergraduate Research Scholars project. In the Light Lab, I am focused on determining the relatedness among Townsend's Big-eared Bats near the Inyo and White Mountains. In particular, the research focuses on using nuclear and mitochondrial methods to determine relatedness, and my portion of the project focuses on seasonal roosts in Nevada.

Research has been an integral part of my undergraduate experience. Besides the invaluable skills and network of peers, mentors, and faculty it has provided, research has allowed me to find and explore my future career path as a wildlife biologist. I want every student to have a positive, rewarding experience with undergraduate research. If you have any questions or are thinking about joining undergraduate research, please do not hesitate to contact me!

I am a senior from Missouri City, Texas, pursuing a double degree in Physics and Mathematics. I spend most of my time at the Wesley Foundation, which is the Methodist Student Center. I enjoy playing my ukulele, flying my kite, and goofing off with my roommates.

I have been doing research with Dr. Stephen Fulling ever since he invited me to join his project in the second semester of my sophomore year. We have been working on a mathematical model of the Casimir effect. We expect the energy densities and pressures calculated from our model to be consistent with the laws of physics, which is better than any of the competing models can do.

Hey y'all! I'm Sameeksha Sharma, a junior biomedical engineering student from Chelmsford, Massachusetts. I've become increasingly interested in research as I have worked to acquire molecular, clinical, and practical knowledge in the field of regenerative medicine. Research may seem like a wayward journey, but it is a worthwhile one, regardless of which discipline. 

My work in research started off as a fascination with epigenetics which allowed me to learn primary molecular techniques from Dr. Rachel O'Neill at the University of Connecticut. I followed that up by writing a research proposal about stem cell reprogramming which was selected and funded by the Holster Summer Program. 

After moving to Texas A&M University, I maintained my focus on stem cell research by becoming a part of Dr. Feng Zhao's lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. This gave me insight into the application of stem cell reprogramming and differentiation as it relates to regenerative medicine. Since then I've been involved with the regenerative cardiac patch project focused on designing a patient-specific cardiac patch by naturally fabricating sheets of extracellular matrix. 

To expand my portfolio, I worked in Dr. Samba Reddy's lab over the summer to explore a new field of research. There I was able to learn histology, image processing and analysis while studying the effects of toxic nerve agents on pediatric rat brains through the Texas A&M College of Medicine Summer Research Program. 

I was once told that no one is born a researcher. It's simply a pursuit of curiosity, albeit a pretty slow one. I believe this wholeheartedly. Research is constructive and critical curiosity that pushes the bounds of knowledge, which is why it is also uniquely rewarding. It allows you to contribute to the current pool of knowledge and engage in meaningful conversations with other professionals and peers. All you have to do is dare to ask the question.

Howdy! My name is Hannah and I'm a senior Biomedical Sciences major and Public Health minor from San Antonio, Texas. I started research my freshman year of college in the Nghiem Lab where I was a team member in an Aggie Research Project (ARP) where we attempted to determine the role Myosin-Va in astrocytes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was finished online. My sophomore year I had the opportunity to research for another ARP project in the Muneoka Lab under Dr. Regina Brunauer. Virtually, we attempted to develop an open-source methodology to convert image stacks of tissue layers into three-dimensional images. This research opportunity lead me to my current lab with Dr. Lindsay Dawson in her lab where the adult mouse digit is used to model regeneration and bone healing. This past year, I worked on a project where I helped characterize the five bone regeneration stages. My senior year, I am excited to begin working on other projects where proteins are being investigated for their ability to induce regeneration in non-regenerative injuries. Undergraduate research has been one of the highlights of my time at Texas A&M and has helped guide me to decide what I would like to do post-graduation. After graduation, I would like to continue researching and I plan on applying to PhD programs in the field of biomedical science with focus on cancer cell biology. Outside of researching, I am a Supplemental Instruction Leader and President for my women's service organization, Women Helping Out Other People (W.H.O.O.P.). I am so glad you're looking for research opportunities, and I hope I can help you navigate undergraduate research here at A&M! 

Howdy! I am a senior chemical engineer with minors in physics and materials science, and I plan to pursue a PhD in physics and become a professor. My urge to continue research in academia comes from wanting to inspire the next generation of students to earnestly pursue discovery and also from my own innate desire to advance human knowledge. My fascination with quantum phenomena at the nanoscopic level has been augmented by experimental research as well as my current theoretical pursuits in quantum mechanics.     

My research interests lie primarily in optical and electrical properties of 2D materials, although I have research experience with polymers, non-linear optics, 3D-printing, nanomaterial synthesis and characterization, density functional theory, and biofuels, both experimental and computational. Additional interests include theology and philosophy, and I definitely enjoy conversations about faith (and the relevant evidential truth claims).

Howdy! My name is Miriam Stein and I am a molecular and cell biology major with a bioinformatics minor from San Antonio, Texas. After earning my Bachelors degree, I plan to attend graduate school and earn a PhD in a field related to biomedical research and drug development.

I have been participating in undergraduate research since the summer following my freshman year of college, where I worked in a biomedical research lab at UT Health San Antonio under Dr. Madesh Muniswamy. My research there focused on magnesium signaling and its connection to mitochondrial metabolism and metabolic disease.

I then transitioned to my current lab at Texas A&M under Dr. Vishal Gohil. My project seeks to develop a novel treatment for fatal genetic disorders of copper deficiency, for which no effective treatments exist. The Gohil lab has identified a potential therapeutic for these disorders and, in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company, we are exploring its mechanism of action and prospective use in human patients.

Participating in undergraduate research has allowed me to delve deeply into my scientific interests and gain hands-on laboratory experience at an early point in my career. I've developed professional relationships, improved my communication skills, and become familiar with the process of scientific inquiry and experimental design. I feel very passionate about the work I do, challenges and all, and I am excited to share my experience and knowledge with younger generations of Aggies!

I am a senior from Pearland, Texas double majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Math. After graduation, I hope to pursue a Ph.D. with a focus on epigenome editing. In my spare time, I enjoy taking my cat, Waffles, for walks, cooking, and reading.

The summer between my freshman and sophomore was spent working in a molecular biology lab at Baylor College of Medicine under the direction of Dr. Richard Link. I worked in assisting to develop a mouse model for papillary renal cell carcinoma and maintained primary cell lines harvested directly from patients’ kidney tumors. The following summer, I completed the Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program in Farmington, Connecticut under Dr. Albert Cheng. I split my time between two projects, "Optimization of Casilio for Live Cell Imaging of Nonrepeat Genomic Loci" and "Comparison of Casilio and Direct Fusion Methods for the Targeted DNA Methylation of SOX2 and MLH1." This past summer, I completed the SURISKD internship at UT Southwestern under Dr. Ondine Cleaver where I sought to identify critical genes in the development of kidney vasculature. This program provided me the privilege of presenting a poster at the KUH Summer Undergraduate Research Conference at the NIH.

For the past two years at Texas A&M, I have had the opportunity to work in a lab under Dr. Michael Golding focused on post-translational modifications of the chromatin structure due to alcohol and how these modifications affect fetal development and fertility. During my junior year, I was a part of the Undergraduate Research Scholar’s Program where I completed a thesis on an irregular metabolic syndrome in offspring resulting from paternal preconception ethanol abuse.

Howdy! My name is Jeremy  and I am a junior biomedical engineering major/chemistry minor from Highland Village, Texas. After graduating from Texas A&M, I plan on earning a PhD in biomedical engineering with a research focus on tissue engineering. I have conducted research at TAMU since the spring of my freshman year, for one semester in Dr. Cote's Optical Bio-sensing Lab through the AggiE-Challenge program, and in Dr. Gaharwar's iNanoTE lab since then. My research centers around 3D bioprinting, which is a form of 3D printing that prints cells to mimic the behavior of natural living systems. This past year I helped develop a protocol for converting cheap 3D thermoplastic printers to functional bioprinters so that universities with less research funding still have the opportunity to conduct this type of research. Undergraduate research has completely changed my professional aspirations. I entered Texas A&M as a pre-med student without the slightest idea of what research is. At the suggestion of a friend, I enrolled in the AggiE-Challenge program, a program designed to introduce students to research by placing them on a research project. I fell in love with the research process and the direct applications it can have on our daily lives. I decided that I want to go into academia to conduct cutting-edge biomedical engineering research that will have an impact on the medical community. Undergraduate research has been instrumental in my professional development, and I am excited to help create similar experiences for other students as an undergraduate research ambassador!

I am a senior public health major from San Antonio, Texas. I am currently involved in three vastly different but equally empowering organizations: I am an Undergraduate Research Scholar and Ambassador, a volunteer for Texas A&M’s Student Counseling HelpLine. and a member of Gamma Phi Beta. If I am not in the lab, class, or MedSci, you can find me reading just about anything, watching SNL, or petting a dog.

My undergraduate research experience began during the fall semester of my sophomore year under the direction of Dr. David Threadgill. I am currently working on a team with two other undergraduate students, aptly named “Team Mini Mouse Mappers” because of the content of our research. Our project involves identifying genetic modifiers of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a tumor suppressor gene that is found to be inactive or deleted in multiple types of cancer, and whether the modifiers contribute to PTEN-dependent cancer development. We do this through utilizing the Collaborative Cross mouse panel (CC) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. Working in a research lab has been one of the best parts of my undergraduate career; the only thing I regret about it is not starting it sooner.

Howdy! I am a senior pursuing a degree in chemical engineering and hoping to attend medical school following my graduation. I grew up right here in College Station, Texas, so I have been a die-hard Aggie all of my life. WHOOP!! In addition to research, I enjoy playing tennis with the TAMU Club Team and sharing my passion for physics with freshman engineering students.

I came into college interested in the chemical industry (hence, my choice of major); but I quickly realized that I was actually passionate about medicine. I joined Dr. Wu’s lab in the TAMU Chemical Engineering department in Spring 2018 so that I can explore my interests in medicine by employing the important principles I am learning in my chemical engineering studies to study biological systems. I work primarily on model membrane development for diagnostic use and drug delivery systems. I have optimized a turbidity-based emulsion agglutination assay that we can use to test the binding mechanism that bacterial cells use to initiate infection with host cells. We are now working to take advantage of this knowledge to develop a drug delivery system that can specifically target bacterial infections.

My opportunity in the lab has provided me with a unique interdisciplinary outlet to pursue my passion for chemical engineering and medicine. I have gained unparalleled experience that has opened my eyes to the importance of research in all fields and particularly the significance of research in the practice of medicine. Also, my experience has provided me with the opportunity to take an internship at Oak Ridge National Lab in Summer 2019, where I will study the effects of butanol on membranes for applications in bio-butanol production.

I am a Biochemistry and Genetics double major with minors in Biology and Classics from Carrollton, Texas. I am a Beckman Scholar, Vice President of the Biochemistry and Genetics Society, and an active volunteer for Aggieland Humane Society. After graduation, I plan to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry, preferably focusing on bacteria and/or viruses. Outside of school and research, I am an avid music-listener, foodie, and aspiring traveler. I can also be found reading Latin literature, playing the piano, or searching for random bits of trivia on the internet.

I started research with Dr. Vishal Gohil in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics the second semester of my freshman year before moving to Dr. Ry Young’s Lab as a Beckman Scholar in Spring 2015. My current project focuses on single-stranded RNA bacteriophages, which are a specific type of virus that infects bacteria. Because antibiotic-resistant pathogens have become a serious issue, we hope to find new antibiotic strategies by studying these phages and how they kill bacteria. I hope to continue this research through my senior year and participated in the Undergraduate Research Scholars program this past year. Research has truly become a large part of my undergraduate experience and has helped me solidify my plans for the future, so I definitely want to encourage other students to get involved.

Howdy! My name is Meera Trikur and I am a junior Materials Science & Engineering major from Frisco, Texas. I was introduced to research through the Aggie Research Program and work with Dr. J. Carlee Purdum on a project that focuses on the impact of hazards and disasters on prisons and incarcerated populations.  The research explores the social vulnerability that incarcerated people experience due to environmental and technological hazards in Texas, focusing on the issues of extreme temperatures, water quality, and medical care. We work closely with a nonprofit organization called Texas Prisons Air-Conditioning Advocates. They advocate for incarcerated people and their loved ones about the conditions that they experience within Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities. My role within the project is to collect and analyze data within surveys, help create social media posts for TPAA, and write written reports based on news media and survey data. By analyzing these surveys filled by people who are suffering through unfair conditions, I've been able to better understand the nuances of what incarcerated people go through. I have always had multidisciplinary interests and wanted to explore outside of engineering and through research, I was given that chance. Participating in research topics that aren't directly related to my major has allowed me to interact with a more diverse set of people and even observe connections between my major and my research. I am very excited to be a part of this program and see what opportunities lie ahead!

I am a Chemistry major, Business Administration minor, and proud member of the Class of 2018 from College Station, Texas. In addition to Undergraduate Research Ambassadors, I represent Texas A&M as a University Scholar and Beckman Scholar. While my favorite pastimes include hammocking and watching reruns of The West Wing, I’m proud to say that a considerable portion of my free time is spent in lab. After graduation, I plan to pursue my interests in polymer chemistry and materials science through a Ph.D. and eventual career in chemical research.

I began work in Dr. Karen Wooley’s group in April 2015. My current project explores the development of natural product-based engineering polymers with tunable thermal and mechanical properties for use in a broad spectrum of biomedical and industrial applications. Though growing up around Texas A&M lent me an early introduction to the possibility of undergraduate research, participating myself allowed for far more. My time in the Wooley lab has cultivated a sense of ownership in my studies and an enthusiasm for research that I plan to share through my work as an Ambassador.

I am a senior Biomedical Engineering major from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although not a native Texan, I have grown to call it my home through my time at Texas A&M. Upon graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and pursue biomechanical device design in industry. I believe this is a good avenue to pursue my medical interests while applying the mechanical concepts that come naturally and fascinate me. When not participating in school, I enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, and other outdoor activities. 

I have moved around research laboratories and areas of interests extensively. I began in Dr. Carolyn Cannon’s research lab in the Reynold’s Health Sciences Center. I designed electrospun scaffolds and nanoparticles with silver ibuprofen embedded as a means to mitigate infection. However, I seized the opportunity to work during a summer at the University of New Mexico under Dr. Eva Chi to investigate the protein structural changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease progression. During the fall of my junior year, I began in Dr. Michael Moreno’s Biomechanical Environments Laboratories. I initially worked on designing a silicone model of an aortic valve for pressure flow modeling, but have proceeded to work intimately with a whole body biomechanics project. I use motion capture software to observe and analyze the biomechanics of quarterback throwing and baseball pitching and batting motions.

Research has altered the course of my undergraduate and career trajectories. I have gained invaluable mentors that have guided me along the path. Also, research has shown me the boundless nature of science that I plan to explore further and implement into my design processes in my future career.
 

Howdy! My name is Brandon and I am a senior psychology major with a minor in neuroscience from Fort Worth, Texas. I first became involved in research my freshman year after joining a project listed on the Aggie Research Programs page. Since then, research has been a central part of my undergraduate experience and given me multiple opportunities to explore broad topics in cognition.

During my sophomore year, I joined the Spatial Thinking and STEM Learning Lab led by Dr. Heather Burte. I worked alongside graduate student Sungjoon Park in investigating the possible connection between spatial perspective taking and mentalizing, as well as individual differences in perspective taking based on personality, anxiety, and visualization factors. Additionally, I was able to work on an interdisciplinary Innovation[X] project with researchers in neuroscience, kinesiology, and psychology to further study the brain processes that enable complex locomotor navigation.
 
I am currently working in the Multimethod Affect and Cognition Lab led by Dr. Annmarie MacNamara researching the relationship between different neural signals and cognitive control mechanisms using psychophysiological measures (EEG). I am specifically looking at how working memory load impacts certain event-related potentials related to error-monitoring. I am also working with Dr. Joseph Orr to better understand how task switching alters representational brain activity.  

Engaging in these experiences has allowed me to strengthen my skills as a researcher and learn how to present cognitive concepts in an exciting and engaging way to a broad audience. It has also shown me how research can foster impactful mentorship and build diverse communities of people. After graduating, I hope to attend graduate school and eventually teach and mentor the next generation of bright minds as a teacher and researcher. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about research and how to get involved!

Howdy! My name is Kayla and I am a junior Biomedical Sciences major from Grand Prairie, Texas. I plan on obtaining a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences with a focus on genetics research. I hope to eventually pursue a career as a genetics researcher. I began my undergraduate research experience as soon as I entered my freshman year of college. I am currently working on a theoretical population modeling project in Dr. Heath Blackmon's lab in the department of Biology, where I am investigating chromosomal fusions using a model built in the programming language R. During my two years in the Blackmon lab, I have really enjoyed learning programming for the first time and exploring the field of genetics. Despite the importance of genetics to disease and speciation, there are still so many aspects of the subject that we know very little about. I am beyond excited to be producing work that can help fill some of the gaps in our knowledge of how chromosomes fuse and evolve, and I hope to continue to explore and discover new questions to answer in my research career. Outside of the lab, I am involved in several student organizations where I provide volunteer tutoring and prospective student outreach. In my free time, I enjoy cooking for my friends and trying out new recipes and techniques. Undergraduate research has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my college experience and I am excited to help others find the same fulfillment in their own research experience.

Howdy! My name is Emily Wilson, I’m a junior majoring in International Studies and I’m from Houston, Texas. I am currently doing research in the sociology department studying the effects of government policy, infrastructural development and the tourism industry on employment in Southeast Asia. Within this we are mainly focused on the increase of jobs that are available to everyone while also providing a decent salary raise. This is to keep in mind that not everyone may have access to higher education. This project has allowed me to broaden my academic experience beyond the classroom while doing something I am passionate about. It has given me new skills and has overall been an incredibly rewarding opportunity. Doing research allows you to put your education to use and experience the real life applicability it has right away. While doing research my classes have felt more purposeful as I am able to relate it to things I am learning outside of the classroom. My ability to create new ideas and make connections has greatly expanded because of this. The experience has been more than I could have asked for.
Alongside participating in undergraduate research, I am involved in Model Arab League, where we debate current real world issues within a mock parliamentary setting and practice writing resolutions. I also tutor University students in math. In my free time I enjoy reading, cooking and watching documentaries. After I graduate with my Bachelors degree I hope to pursue my PhD in international economic development or international affairs with a focus on the Middle East.

Howdy! My name is Jacob Wolff and I am a Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences major from La Grange, Texas. Upon graduation, I plan on attending graduate school in hopes of becoming a professor in fisheries science! I am currently employed as an undergraduate research technician in Dr. Joshuah Perkin's Riverscape Ecology Lab where I am studying the movement of the state fish of Texas, the Guadalupe Bass, as well as stream fish metacommunities. My research involving Guadalupe Bass deals with the validation of a general fish dispersal model, using my study species, in order to accurately predict movement of this fish using parameters such as stream order, caudal fin aspect ratio, fish size, and time. My research involving stream fish metacommunities takes place right here in College Station! I am a part of a long-term study in which we are collecting habitat, water quality, and fish data on White Creek in order to further understand stream fish metacommunity dynamics. I am also an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Fundamentals of Ecology Lab here at Texas A&M University. My first experience with undergraduate research was as a volunteer for Dr. Perkin's lab on the very same White Creek research project that I now lead! Ever since then, my love for research has continued to grow. Getting involved with undergraduate research has helped me find my passion, helped me excel in my school work, helped me develop professional and interpersonal relationships, as well as develop crucial skills that will allow me to succeed in my future career. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be an undergraduate research ambassador and encourage anyone who is interested in performing undergraduate research to not hesitate in reaching out to me!

I am a Junior double majoring in Biochemistry and Genetics from Phoenix, Arizona, hoping to attend medical school upon my graduation from Texas A&M. In addition to research, I enjoy shooting archery for the United States Archery Team and the university archery program. I also will be starting the Texas A&M chapter of Global Medical Missions Alliance this fall.

My current research is under Dr. Zhiye Wang and Dr. Xiuren Zhang in the Biochemistry Department. We are currently studying mechanisms of microRNA gene regulation by transforming mustard plants to produce a glowing protein and microRNA. By randomly mutating these plants and observing the relative bioluminescence, we can track the production of the protein and determine which mutations cause changes in gene expression. As the study continues, we will continue to seek the relationship between the genes discovered to change the production of the glowing protein and the biochemical pathways governing this process. Eventually, we hope that learning these mechanisms will allow us to better treat disease and benefit crop production and human health.

I love the people in my lab, and I find real value in my research. Research has allowed me to learn material prior to my upper level classes, affirmed my interest in genetics and allowed me to contribute to the scientific community. My gained understanding of genetics will also help jumpstart my career as I pursue oncology and other genetic medicine. Due to my research experience, last summer I was given the opportunity to work in the pediatric department of MD Anderson Cancer Center as a participant in the center’s Summer Externship program. This summer I am interning for the RosettaCommons, a computational biology NSF REU through Johns Hopkins. Through my internship, I have been able to see my classes come to life and learn cutting edge biochemical and biophysical techniques to elucidate the structures of protein-MHC complexes. This summer I hope my research contributes to engineering new immunotherapies for patients with advanced stages of cancer.

I am a Senior Computer Science major and Mathematics minor from Houston, Texas. I currently conduct research at Parasol Lab (which I joined in Fall 2017) under Dr. Nancy Amato. Using probabilistic motion planning methods, we are able to accurately model protein-ligand interactions and create a computational framework for practical applications (e.g, drug design).

Aside from research, I like to involve myself in various campus activities and organizations such as Pi Mu Epsilon, Aggies Invent, and TAMUHack. I am also participating in the NAE Grand Challenge Scholars program, which has encouraged me to go abroad to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology this Fall. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going rockclimbing, learning interesting mathematics, and programming cool things.

I plan to pursue a Ph.D in Computer Science or Mathematics and make a career as a researcher.
 

I am from a very small town in northeast Texas called Winnsboro, where I grew up on a cattle ranch and learned about the world by exploring it every day. I have always had such an appreciation for nature and have been fascinated with how it all works and fits together. I knew from a young age that I loved science, but it took me a while to realize how passionate I am about the pursuit of scientific knowledge through research.

In my first research experience, I worked at the Office of the Texas State Chemist, a lab that deals with animal feed and fertilizer regulations. There, my project dealt with antimicrobial and pesticide contaminants in animal feed. I was able to present the project during Student Research Week and even publish an article about it in Explorations: the undergraduate research journal at Texas A&M. Now, I work in the Sukhishvili lab on constructing layer-by-layer polymer coatings for possible future biomedical applications. Currently, I am working with polymer coatings that can trap small molecules such as antibiotics.

Through my experiences with research and over the course of getting my degree in chemical engineering, I have learned that I truly have a passion for this work and that I want to pursue research as a future career. I am very excited to be an Undergraduate Research Ambassador and share my experiences and my insight with fellow students. I hope to show them just how valuable, memorable, and fun that any undergraduate research experience can be, no matter what they plan to do in the future!