STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Meet Angela Liang! Angela is a fourth-year Physiological Science major and 2024 Amgen Scholar looking to “help advance scientific knowledge and hopefully use science to develop therapies and tools that enhance quality of life!” She credits the Amgen Scholars Program for allowing her to be “fully immersed in research as a full time researcher without the pressures of exams and classes” and feels that the program “does a very good job of developing each scholar as a scientist and equipping [students] with the skills to embark on the next part of [their] scientific journey.” She advises other students to “not be afraid to reach out to professors to ask about their research! In my experience, it has always been really fun. You never know until you ask, and the worst thing anyone can say is ‘no’.” Read more about Angela below.

1. How did you first get involved in your research project?
When I was first looking for a lab, I explored the faculty page of my departmental website, where there will often be a little blurb describing each faculty’s research interests or bio. I found a couple of professors whose research interests aligned with mine and explored their lab website and publications to get a sense of the specific projects in the lab and reached out!

2. How would you describe your research experience at UCLA?
My research experience has been incredibly rewarding and enriching. It is so exciting to be able to help advance scientific knowledge and work towards answering relevant questions. I have also met some of the best mentors and friends through research, and I am grateful that they have helped me become the person and scientist I am today.

3. What is your year and major?
I am a 4th year majoring in Physiological Science.

4. What is one piece of advice you have for other students thinking about getting involved in research?
One piece of advice is to not be afraid to reach out to professors to ask about their research! In my experience, it has always been really fun. You never know until you ask, and the worst thing anyone can say is “no” 🙂

5. Have you attended a conference before? If so, can you describe your experience on preparation, presenting, etc.?
I have attended a couple of symposia where I had to present! Although presenting may seem intimidating, it is really fun to create a poster or presentation and discuss your project with others. To prepare to present, I recommend practicing with your research mentor, who can give valuable insights as someone familiar with the field. Because you will most likely be presenting to scientists who study different fields as well as those in your field, I also recommend practicing with mentors or friends whose research is not in your field, as they can give you a different perspective and advice on topics such as clarity. They can also let you know whether the terms and jargon that you are familiar with day to day are confusing, and you can edit your presentation based on their feedback.

6. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?
I have not had my work published.

7. What are your future career goals?
Since there is so much unknown, I would like to help advance scientific knowledge and hopefully use science to develop therapies and tools that enhance quality of life!

8. Please list any URC/departmental programs you are/were involved in. How has your experience been in AMGEN?
I was a part of the UCLA Amgen Scholars Program 2024 cohort and had a wonderful experience. It was rewarding to be fully immersed in research as a full time researcher
without the pressures of exams and classes. Additionally, the program does a very good job of developing each scholar as a scientist and equipping us with the skills to embark on the next part of our scientific journey. We had a wonderful writing instructor dedicated to helping us with our research papers and faculty mentors who guided us through the PhD or MD-PhD application process. We also had a symposium where we had the opportunity to meet Amgen Scholars from other universities in North America and learn about careers in science, which was eye-opening.

9. What was the impact of undergraduate research on your career path?
Before getting involved in research, I had little idea what a career in academia or industry would entail or that a career in research was possible. My research experiences have helped me realize my passion for research and allowed me to gain valuable insights into careers in science, which helped me solidify my goals.

10. What are your pronouns?
She/Her