This article originally appeared on the UCLA Newsroom.
Ananya Ravikumar moved from Bangalore, India, to Los Angeles, to start her journey at UCLA, she was stepping into the unknown. New place, new school, new independence — it was a lot to take in.
“I came in feeling very overwhelmed,” she said. “Now, standing on the other side, I feel more secure and know that I can handle change a lot better than I would have before.”
Ravikumar is graduating this June with a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cell and developmental biology with a minor in biomedical research. She sees her time in college as a journey toward self-confidence — in the lab, classroom and life.
Academically, she found clarity early on. Her high school interest in biology evolved into a passion for understanding disease at the molecular level.
“I was interested in immunology because it connects to public health,” she said. “But I’ve always wanted to know why things happen in the body. Studying molecular biology helped me understand cellular processes, the basis of disease and where therapies can make a difference.”
Her experiences in the lab deepened her interest, and programs like the Beckman Scholars Program, which allowed her to devote entire summers to research, were especially valuable.
“Summers in the lab taught me what it’s like to be a Ph.D. student,” she said. “During the school year, it can sometimes be stressful to balance classwork and other engagements with experiments in the lab. The full-time experience helped me effectively deepen my skills.”
Outside the lab, Ravikumar joined student organizations that helped her find community and purpose. One of the most impactful was Swipe Out Hunger, a club focused on addressing food insecurity on campus and in Los Angeles.
“Being part of that club helps me give back to the community in a meaningful way,” she said. “We work to support students and the larger Los Angeles population suffering from food insecurity. The people I met at Swipe Out Hunger became close friends.”
That sense of support, she said, is critical in every space, especially in research environments.
“You want a lab that’s collaborative,” she said. “An encouraging lab will help you find the strength to navigate the ups and downs of research. Choosing the right environment matters.”
Her experience in the Lowry Lab, where she uses stem cell cultures to model and study intellectual and developmental disorders, reinforced to her that research was the right path forward. This fall, she’ll begin her Ph.D. program in gene therapy at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I’m excited to further build my research and critical thinking skills,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do this.”
This article originally appeared in the UCLA Newsroom.
See how two undergraduate researchers spend their days — in the lab and in the community
From lab breakthroughs to community-based inquiries, UCLA students are tackling some of today’s most pressing questions and Undergraduate Research Week offers a front-row seat to their work.
The weeklong event, kicking off Monday, May 19, features more than 1,700 students presenting original research and creative work across various disciplines. Among this year’s participants are Satema Lopez and Wilson Zheng, two students whose work highlights the diverse and impactful undergraduate research at UCLA.
Exploring cancer at the cellular level
Wilson Zheng
For Zheng, research means digging deep into the cellular mechanisms that fuel cancer. A fourth-year student studying molecular, cell and developmental biology, with a minor in biomedical research, Zheng works in the Lowry Lab, under William Lowry, associate director of education and technology transfer at the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center and a professor of molecular, cell and developmental biology.
Zheng’s project focuses on targeting metabolic pathways with pharmacological inhibitors to try and prevent the development and progression of squamous cell carcinomas. These increasingly common skin cancers, often linked to UV exposure and aging, carry the risk of metastasis and serious health consequences.
Spend a day in the lab with Zheng:
Advancing health equity through culturally competent care
Satema Lopez
Lopez is a fourth-year student majoring in education and social transformation, with a minor in American Indian studies. Her research sits at the intersection of public health, social justice and advocacy for Indigenous communities.
Lopez began her research journey with the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she worked in Dr. Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila’s lab studying the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and periodontal disease. She has since expanded her focus to explore broader questions of health equity for Indigenous communities.
Her current research project, “Restoring Trust: Experiential approaches to culturally competent health care for American Indians in Los Angeles,” involves surveying Native patients in L.A. County to better understand their experiences within the health care system. In addition, she is interviewing Native physicians to illuminate their paths through pre-med and medical training, stories that speak to both systemic barriers and resilience.
See a day in Lopez’s life as a researcher:
Undergraduate Research Week is one of UCLA’s largest celebrations of student discovery. From STEM to the arts and humanities, these projects reflect the passion, purpose and potential of UCLA’s undergraduate scholars.
For Sohan Talluri, science has always been personal. The San Jose, California, native’s academic path was shaped as much by what happened in doctors’ offices as in classrooms and labs.
Talluri grew up managing severe food allergies, often visiting specialists and hoping for a cure. “I had hopes that whatever they would give me would sort of fix this problem,” he said. “This was not the case.”
While Talluri was diligent about managing his allergies and never experienced a severe reaction, his younger brother landed in the emergency room on several occasions. Seeing his brother suffer through those complications sparked Talluri’s interest in understanding immunology.
“I was looking into labs, and I knew that food allergies and asthma had not only affected me, but my family,” he said. “Getting into research about immunotherapy treatments felt like a natural next step.”
Drawing inspiration from research and the lab environment
He got that opportunity at UCLA, where he took on a major in microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics with a minor in biomedical research. An introductory biology course with professor Yvonne Chen later led to an undergraduate researcher position in Chen’s lab. Talluri spent that first summer in the lab “as much as possible,” learning hands-on research techniques in cancer immunotherapy under the guidance of his graduate student mentors.
“I basically picked up all of my tangible research skills that summer,” Talluri said. “That experience had an undeniable impact on my trajectory.”
After establishing his wet lab skill set, Talluri found purpose in clinical research and public health outreach. Working with Dr. Maria Garcia-Lloret, health sciences clinical professor and director of the allergy/immunology fellowship program in the David Geffen School of Medicine pediatrics department, he contributed to multiple food allergy clinical trials as well as a webinar series that educated over 900 nurses across the Los Angeles Unified School District on food allergies and EpiPen usage.
Then, during the summers of 2023 and 2024, he participated in the National Institutes of Health summer internship program, working in Dr. Naomi Taylor’s lab at the National Cancer Institute to continue his research into cancer immunotherapies.
“These experiences gave me so much perspective — in academia, in clinical research and then the government perspective,” he said. “I heard the NIH described as the Mecca of biomedical research, and walking past some of the top labs in the country — it was incredibly inspiring.”
Creating a community tradition
Mentorship has been a through line in Talluri’s UCLA story — both inside and outside the lab. As a learning assistant and subsequently a teaching assistant for several life sciences core curriculum courses, he helped fellow students navigate classes, research and the broader academic transition to the university.
“It’s about being an ideal guide. Someone who can get the students to see that there are opportunities for success, even if you struggle at first,” he said.
Building community has also been a focus for Talluri. Through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Research Associates Program, he mentored high school students from underserved communities, introducing them to clinical research. He guided them through developing research proposals and later welcomed them to campus as a tour guide for their final culmination day.
“It’s amazing; some of the students have never even heard of clinical research before, and at the end of the program they wrote these incredible proposals,” he said. “That kind of outreach is so important.”
Talluri also found a unique opportunity to build community within the life sciences at UCLA. When he arrived as a first-year student in fall 2021, in-person instruction was just returning after the COVID-19 pandemic. While other divisions held welcome events, the life sciences had none — something he was determined to change.
As internal vice president of the Life Sciences Student Association, he helped organize the division’s first-ever Life Sciences New Student Welcome in fall 2022, and the event has since become an annual tradition.
“We wanted every student to feel like they belonged here,” he said.
For one attendee, a student uncertain about her place in the life sciences, the welcome proved transformative. She later became LSSA president and credited the event with helping her find her closest friends at UCLA.
“You can measure success in numbers,” Talluri said. “But it’s the stories like hers that show the event really worked — and that this community will continue to grow.”
Outside academics, Talluri finds balance through the same curiosity and adventurous spirit that drives his research. A lifelong Eagle Scout, he’s backpacked through Alaska, snorkeled in the coral reefs of the Florida Keys, and explored trails around Southern California.
“I think my experience at UCLA would be a lot dimmer had I not gotten involved in things outside of research,” he said.
His undergraduate years weren’t without challenges. From the Omicron wave his freshman year to a campus-wide teaching assistant strike, protests and nearby wildfires, Talluri’s time at UCLA tested his adaptability and resolve.
“In research, resilience is definitely something I’ll take forward,” he said. “Your cells won’t always grow the way you want, your experiments may not work, but that resilience will carry me through the tough times.”
After his graduation in June, Talluri — who continues to manage his food allergies — plans to return to the National Institutes of Health for a year before attending medical school. Whether it is in the lab, clinic or community, he’s committed to helping others find their path, just as he’s found his.
Meet Victoria Gong! Victoria is a third-year Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology major with a minor in Biomedical Research and Global Health. She is currently part of the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP), and will be participating in the URC – Sciences Summer Program this summer. Victoria’s independent research project focuses specifically on imaging lung cancer and immune cell interactions using immunofluorescence techniques. She credits undergraduate research in fundamentally shaping her career goals and reaffirmed her passion for pursuing a research-focused career. Read below for Victoria’s full interview.
1. How did you first get involved in your research project? Tell us a bit about the lab you are in and the research you are currently conducting.
I joined Dr. Aaron Meyer’s lab during the winter of my freshman year through cold emailing! At the time, the project I’m still working on—a collaboration with Merck—was just beginning, and it immediately aligned with my interest in biopharma-related immune research. I started by learning from graduate mentors how to perform antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis assays using lung cancer cells and Merck antibodies. My current independent project stems from this larger collaboration, focusing specifically on imaging lung cancer and immune cell interactions using immunofluorescence techniques.
2. How would you describe your research experience at UCLA?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have joined Dr. Meyer’s lab early in my undergraduate career. As I learned both hands-on and through coursework, my understanding of immune and cell-based concepts deepened. Dr. Meyer, my graduate mentor Meera Trisal, and my fellow lab members have been incredibly supportive, encouraging me to pursue more independent research directions. Participating in URC-Sciences’ URFP program came at a perfect time, helping me transition from an undergraduate volunteer to a more independent scientific researcher.
3. What is your year and major?
I am a third-year Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) major, with minors in Biomedical Research and Global Health.
4. What is one piece of advice you have for other students thinking about getting involved in research?
Don’t be afraid to try everything! Cold email labs even if you’re unsure about your chances – persistence is key. Once you’re in a lab, take initiative to get more involved, and put genuine effort into learning and contributing. It never hurts to ask!!!
5. Have you attended a conference before? If so, can you describe your experience on preparation, presenting, etc.?
Not yet, but I will be presenting at Undergraduate Research Week this spring and am excited to participate in conferences over the summer!
6. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?
Not yet, but I have been involved in my lab’s peer review and manuscript preparation processes. I’ve learned that getting results published is a meticulous and sometimes tiring, but ultimately very rewarding, experience.
7. What are your future career goals?
I hope to pursue a Ph.D. in bioengineering, continuing to explore immune cell and cell-based therapies. After completing my Ph.D., I aspire to work in the biopharmaceutical industry to help advance and expand immune-based treatments.
8. Please list any URC/departmental programs you are/were involved in.
I am currently part of the URFP program, which has really boosted my confidence in presenting my research to both general and specialized audiences. I’ve also loved hearing about the diverse research projects my peers are working on, from cellular biology to computer science, and building a network of passionate researchers at UCLA. This summer, I’ll be participating in the URC-Sciences summer program, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow within this community.
9. What was the impact of undergraduate research on your career path?
Undergraduate research has fundamentally shaped my career goals. It has taught me to think independently, question assumptions I once took for granted, and reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a research-focused career. Conversations with peers in URFP and research-related clubs have made me realize how unique and valuable it is to have this level of access and support for undergraduate research at UCLA. It’s been inspiring to be part of a community that pushes each other to think critically and grow as scientists.
Meet Sasha Gladkikh! Sasha is a fourth-year Computational and Systems Biology major who plans to attend medical school to pursue a career as a physician-scientist. She is currently in the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program and will be joining the URC – Sciences Summer Program this summer. Sasha’s current research in the Lusis Laboratory investigates the protective role of microbiota-derived metabolites in abdominal aortic aneurysms. One piece of advice Sasha have for students interested in research is to “Start before you feel ready. It is completely normal to feel intimidated when stepping into a lab for the first time…that initial uncertainty is often where the most meaningful learning begins.” Read Sasha’s full interview below.
1. How did you first get involved in your research project? Tell us a bit about the lab you are in and the research you are currently conducting.
I joined the Lusis Laboratory at the David Geffen School of Medicine in my third year to pursue my interests in cardiology and bioinformatics. The Lusis Lab applies a systems genetics framework to investigate complex cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including atherosclerosis, heart failure, and fatty liver disease, by integrating multi-omics data from both human cohorts and mouse models. Under the mentorship of Dr. Aldons J. Lusis and PhD candidate Jenny Cheng, my current research investigates the protective role of microbiota-derived metabolites in abdominal aortic aneurysms, a degenerative vascular condition that currently ranks as the 15th leading cause of death in the United States.
2. How would you describe your research experience at UCLA?
Transformative. I entered UCLA with no prior research experience and little guidance on how to begin. As the daughter of refugees, I was accustomed to navigating uncertainty independently, but stepping into research introduced a new world, one shaped by rigorous inquiry, collaborative problem-solving, and intellectual humility. Joining the Lusis Lab gave me the structure, mentorship, and environment I needed to grow. I learned to approach scientific questions with both curiosity and precision, to treat setbacks as essential to the learning process, and to recognize persistence as a critical part of progress. This experience sharpened my analytical skills, deepened my appreciation for discovery, and solidified my long-term commitment to research.
3. What is your year and major?
I am a fourth-year majoring in Computational and Systems Biology.
4. What is one piece of advice you have for other students thinking about getting involved in research?
Start before you feel ready. It is completely normal to feel intimidated when stepping into a lab for the first time; I certainly did. However, that initial uncertainty is often where the most meaningful learning begins. You do not need to have all the answers to contribute. What matters most is approaching research with curiosity, accepting feedback, and being willing to grow through trial and error. Ask thoughtful questions, take responsibility for your mistakes, and seek mentors who will challenge your thinking while supporting your development. With the right environment, you will not only strengthen your skills, but also grow into a confident and capable researcher, often in ways you could not have anticipated.
5. Have you attended a conference before? If so, can you describe your experience on preparation, presenting, etc.?
I attended the 2024 UCLA Cardiovascular Theme Symposium, a two-day conference that convenes leading researchers across disciplines to explore advances in cardiovascular metabolism, epigenetics, oncology, and therapeutic development. Although I did not present, attending keynote talks by physician-scientists, early-career investigators, and biomedical engineers deepened my understanding of the pressing questions shaping the field. Observing how researchers framed their findings and engaged their audience helped me think more intentionally about how to communicate science with clarity and purpose. The experience broadened my perspective and provided practical tools I will carry into future presentations of my own work.
6. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?
Yes, I have co-authored two publications:
● The impact of plakophilin-2 deficiency on the atrial myocardium: electrophysiological insights and therapeutic implications, The Journal of Physiology (2025). DOI: 10.1113/JP288315.
● Trimethylamine-N-oxide affects cell type-specific pathways and networks in mouse aorta to promote atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, bioRxiv (2025). DOI: 10.1101/2025.02.25.640205.
The publishing process gave me a deeper appreciation for the full trajectory of scientific research, from hypothesis generation to public dissemination. I came to understand that impactful science is not only grounded in data, but also in how clearly and rigorously it is communicated. Each stage, from data interpretation to manuscript revision, pushed me to think critically, collaborate across disciplines, and refine the way I present complex ideas. Contributing to these studies strengthened my commitment to research and taught me that discovery becomes meaningful through precision, persistence, and shared purpose.
7. What are your future career goals?
I plan to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician-scientist. My goal is to bridge clinical practice with bioinformatics-driven research, particularly in cardiology, to uncover novel mechanisms of disease. I hope to contribute to the development of more targeted, data-informed therapies that advance both patient outcomes and our broader understanding of human health.
8. Please list any URC/departmental programs you are/were involved in.
I am currently a scholar in the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP) and will participate in the URC–Sciences Summer Program this summer. URFP has played a pivotal role in shaping my development as a researcher by providing financial support and a thoughtfully structured environment for academic and professional growth. Through the RES PRC 103 seminar, taught by Dr. Jorge Avila, I strengthened my skills in science communication, research proposal writing, and graduate school preparation. One of the most impactful aspects of the program was engaging with a diverse cohort of undergraduate researchers across the life, physical, and engineering sciences. Learning from their perspectives encouraged me to approach my own work more critically and broadened my appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration. Beyond the skills I gained, URFP gave me a lasting sense of connection to UCLA’s research community and reaffirmed my commitment to a career grounded in discovery and impact.
9. What was the impact of undergraduate research on your career path?
Undergraduate research has been foundational in shaping both my career goals and my sense of purpose. It affirmed my aspiration to become a physician-scientist, someone who not only delivers clinical care but also investigates the molecular mechanisms driving disease. Research taught me that science is not about having immediate answers, but about asking the right questions and approaching uncertainty with patience, creativity, and persistence. It pushed me to think more critically, embrace setbacks as part of the process, and recognize the value of sustained effort. Most importantly, it helped me discover how deeply I care about advancing knowledge in ways that ultimately improve patient lives.
