LATINX HERITAGE MONTH

Meet Emily Silva! Emily is a third year Neuroscience major with a minor in Musicology. She is currently conducting research in the Massaly Lab at UCLA that aims to understand pain-induced neuronal alterations and how they affect motivation-reward systems within the brain, paving the way for improvements in pain pharmacology. Read more about Emily’s research experience at UCLA, how her cultural background has influenced her academic and career journey, and advice she had for other Latinx student researchers.

1. What are your pronouns?

I use she/her/hers pronouns.

2. What is your year and major?

I am a third year Neuroscience major with a minor in Musicology.

3. In one sentence, what are you currently researching?

As an undergraduate SRP student in Massaly Lab at UCLA, I aid the team in research that aims to understand pain-induced neuronal alterations and how they affect motivation-reward systems within the brain, paving the way for improvements in pain pharmacology.

4. What research experience did you have before joining a lab at UCLA?

Before joining Massaly Lab, I took a two year AP Capstone course administered by the College Board in high school. This course required me to design an independent project. I investigated the effects of organic and non-GMO corn on the nutritional value of soil. After measuring pH, ammonia, potassium, and nitrogen over four weeks, I compiled a research paper that explained how GMOs are part of a solution to mass producing food when faced with climate change and soil erosion.

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

I first became involved in my research project after discussing with my mentors what I can do to help with a larger project that explores whether or not inhibiting a specific set of neurons causes effects in motivation. I communicated that my interests lie in aseptic surgery techniques and data analysis which led me to better understand the motivation-reward systems in the brain.

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

My research experience at UCLA is full of learning opportunities and is an overall challenge to remain proactive. My mentors provide me with much needed guidance in the wet lab environment and teach me the basic procedures I’d need to know as a student researcher from using proper protective equipment to operating a cryostat. My neuroscience courses reinforce my knowledge of the brain and shed light on the implications of scientific research in society, offering increasingly better alternatives to invasive procedures done on a number of health conditions.

7. What are your future career goals?

My goal is to continue developing my skills in research by learning how to expertly operate equipment, conduct experiments, and write out research papers. I’ll eventually apply these skills to graduate school after I complete my undergraduate years at UCLA.

8. Can you share a bit about how your experiences growing up and your cultural background has influenced your decisions on your academic and career journey?

I am an East LA native with a strong history of Hispanic culture and lived experiences supporting my development. As a first generation college student, I’ve learned how valuable it is to receive an education when many people who make up the pillars of my life rarely had the opportunity to think about pursuing a higher education. Instead, they thought about where to work or when the rent was due. Those before me worked under the sun so I can work with an air conditioner in the room. Neuroscience research as a career allows me to prioritize my interests and contribute to something larger than myself. With the aid of the scientific community, mentors, and peers, I am continually excited to help solve problems that impact people’s lives and represent my community in a field where Hispanics are largely underrepresented.

9. Do you have any advice that you would give to Hispanic students who are thinking about pursuing STEM or getting involved in research?

My advice to Hispanic students thinking about pursuing careers in STEM or exploring the sciences during their college career is to follow wherever your curiosity leads you with reasonable goals in mind. As a young student in college, you have little career experience and must learn, fail, and try again at any skills you’d like to develop inside or outside of research. Use this season of learning to your advantage. By consistently developing those skills, no matter how disconnected they may seem from the main goal, they will become more valuable to you in the future when you slowly see the life you worked for come into light.

10. Please list any URC/departmental programs/clubs you are involved in.

I am a former Care Extender volunteer and am currently involved in the PEERS, AAP, and LEAF programs at UCLA