Daniel Chu (2014 cohort) was selected to receive the MD-PhD Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Madison

MSTP candidate Daniel Chu (2014 cohort) was selected to receive the MD-PhD Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Madison  https://radiology.wisc.edu/news/daniel-chu-katrina-ruedinger-receive-md-phd-fellowship-for-the-2022-23-academic-year/  

Dr. Claire Ostertag-Hill (cohort 2013) has published extensively and is currently using nanomedicine to treat vascular anomalies

Pediatric Surgeon Dr. Claire Ostertag-Hill (cohort 2013)  has published extensively and is currently using nanomedicine to treat vascular anomalies. https://answers.childrenshospital.org/venous-malformations-nanoparticles/  

Dr. Rebecca McGillvary (cohort 2013) was awarded the 2023 Hartwell Fellowship

Dr. Rebecca McGillvary (cohort 2013)  was awarded the 2023 Hartwell Fellowship for her postdoctoral work at UC Davis.   

https://biology.ucdavis.edu/news/postdoctoral-researchers-awarded-hartwell-fellowships-probe-tissue-regeneration-and-molecular  

Jason Kerr (cohort 2013) MS, MBA was interviewed by Outsourced Pharma

Jason Kerr (cohort 2013) MS, MBA was interviewed by Outsourced Pharma in his role as a ‘spy’, that monitors any and all regulatory changes for Moderna. https://www.outsourcedpharma.com/doc/a-spy-at-moderna-0001  

Elyse Hartnet (cohort 2013) recently finished her MBA, showcased for staff product manager role at Illumina

Elyse Hartnet (cohort 2013) recently finished her MBA and was showcased as part of her role as an oncology staff product manager  at Illumina. 

https://www.illumina.com/company/news-center/feature-articles/Ahmet-Elyse-Sam-Shyamal.html  

Michael Erb (cohort 2012) was showcased in 2020 on ‘Scientist Stories’

Michael Erb (cohort 2012)  was showcased in 2020 on ‘Scientist Stories’ in a video called Harnessing Chemical Biology for Cancer Drug Discovery.  Taken when he was promoted to Assistant Professor at the Scripps Research Institutue, Dr. Erb was recently promoted to Associate Professor.  Congrats Dr. Erb!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LV5Pt_-4NI 

Ryan Ponec MD (2009 cohort) was interviewed over his love of coffee as a new physician at Cedars-Sinai Cancer in Tarzana, CA.

Ryan Ponec MD (2009 cohort) was interviewed over his love of coffee as a new physician at Cedars-Sinai Cancer in Tarzana, CA.  https://www.cedars-sinai.org/csmagazine/a-valley-oncologist-s-perfect-blend.html  

Jennifer Yeh (2007 Cohort) accepted into the American Academy of Dermatology Academic Dermatology Leadership Program

New Stanford University School of Medicine Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology Jennifer Yeh (2007 cohort) has been accepted into the American Academy of Dermatology Academic Dermatology Leadership Program.  Prior to her appointment at Stanford, she won the Resident of Distinction award for Dermatology  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/resident-of-distinction-award-celebrates-10th-anniversary-at-2020-caribbean-dermatology-symposium-300998826.html  . 

 

Zahra Gill

Meet Zahra Gill! Zahra is a 4th year Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology major with a minor in Biomedical Research. Through her Biomedical Research minor prerequisite class (BR10H), Zahra was able to gain experience working with Drosophila, and credits this experience to her current placement at the Orsulic Laboratory. She was also involved in MCDB Departmental Honors, a year-long program where students conduct individual research under a faculty advisor, culminating into a full thesis. When asked about the impact of undergraduate research on her career path, Zahra says, “It completely changed my career path. I always had a passion for research but never believed I could pursue a career in research. My undergraduate research gave me the confidence that I can pursue my passion as a career.”

1. How did you first get involved in your research project?

I knew I wanted to gain research experience when I transferred to UCLA but knew how tough it can be especially for transfers to get a position in a lab. I signed up for a biomedical research minor prerequisite class (BR10H) and gained experience working with Drosophila. I loved this class and successfully applied to the biomedical research minor. I was able to get placed into my current lab, the Orsulic laboratory, with the help of the biomedical research minor. The faculty of the minor really helped me gauge my research interests and suggest labs that would be a good fit for me.

2. How would you describe your research experience at UCLA?

One word I would use to describe my research experience at UCLA is transformational. It is such a privilege to have access to mentors that are leaders in their field. I find even only as an undergraduate my perspective is valued and for me that has been quite empowering as a scientist.

3. What is your year and major?

4th year, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology

4. What is one piece of advice you have for other students thinking about getting involved in research?

Getting involved in research can be a very intimidating process, and if you have even a sliver of interest in research try to pursue it one step at a time. The experience will be so valuable regardless of the outcome.

5. Have you attended a conference before? If so, can you describe your experience on preparation, presenting, etc.?

Yes, preparing was a bit stressful getting all my data together and creating a fluid story about my research project. However, once I was fully prepared, presenting was so much more fun that I expected. It was exciting answering questions about my research project and it even helped me think about my research in new ways.

6 .Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

Not yet 🙂

7. What are your future career goals?

I hope to attend graduate school after taking a gap year or two.

8. Please list any URC/departmental programs you are/were involved in.

MCDB departmental honors, Biomedical research minor

9. What was the impact of undergraduate research on your career path?

It completely changed my career path. I always had a passion for research but never believed I could pursue a career in research. My undergraduate research gave me the confidence that I can pursue my passion as a career.