STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Meet Anson Ting! Anson is a second year Computational and Systems Biology major, currently volunteering in the Fogel Lab and researching rare neurodegenerative conditions such as Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA). He hopes to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, computational biology, or bioengineering, and work in the field of multiomics research for various neurodegenerative diseases. Through undergraduate research at UCLA, Anson has gained critical thinking skills, good research practices, and learned to appreciate the possibilities of research.

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 conducting.

I volunteer in the Fogel Lab which studies rare neurodegenerative conditions such as Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), a group of slow progressing disorders leading to a loss of coordination, gait abnormalities, and other symptoms. Clinical trials for SCA are limited by current severity assessment methods which are all physician evaluations on a point scale primarily driven by a patient’s ability to stand and walk. Over short time frames, a patients’ severity scores often show minimal change, requiring trials to have very large cohorts to have sufficient statistical power. The project I work on in the lab seeks to find an alternative to physician scores by identifying biomarkers(quantifiable molecules correlated with disease) that can differentiate between SCA subtypes. Our specific molecule of interest is exosomal microRNAs, tiny pieces of RNA that regulate protein translation located in small vesicles released by cells, and through RNA sequencing we can capture the relative abundance of different miRNAs and their correlations with disease condition. My specific role was in the implementation of an analysis workflow to process and analyze the resultant sequencing data.

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

Overall my experience with research at UCLA has been extremely insightful and educational. I was fortunate enough where my current lab has given me the responsibility of a single project, letting me implement the whole data analysis pipeline from top to bottom. This experience allowed me to holistically experience the research process, from troubleshooting analysis tools to contextualizing concepts in terms of a research question. The confidence I’ve gained from problem solving and seeing tasks to completion for my project has also translated into how I approach my roles in clubs and other responsibilities beyond the lab.

3. What is your year and major?

I am a second 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?

The main advice I would give to others trying to get involved in research is to make sure you’ve familiarized yourself with the research questions of and techniques used by any lab you’re interested in. This process could look like reading through a few of their papers and making sure you understand what their findings are and how they got there. Back when I was looking for a lab, I found that this preparation helped me have insightful discussions in interviews and explore my interests further even if I didn’t end up getting a position.

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

I have previously presented at this summer’s SPUR Showcase. Leading up to the symposium, the prospect of having to present was definitely extremely daunting especially since we changed the topic of my presentation after some negative results. Thankfully, the mentors and people in my lab were always willing to help provide feedback and support through multiple rounds of practice, allowing me to build up my confidence. Ultimately, the clarity and conciseness I developed after preparing for and presenting my project has been extremely valuable, both for advancing my research in the lab and for sharing my work with others in my life.

6. What are your future career goals?

In the future I hope to pursue a PhD in neuroscience, computational biology, or bioengineering and work in the field of multiomics research for various neurodegenerative diseases.

7. Please list any URC/departmental programs you are/were involved in. How has your experience been in these programs?

This past summer I was a part of the URC Sciences Summer Program. Overall, I found it to be a valuable opportunity to continue working on my project over the summer while also meeting other peers who also have a passion for research. Additionally, the weekly workshops on possible career options, strategies for communicating science, and the skills necessary to conduct good research have provided me with valuable skills to grow as an aspiring scientist.

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

Undergraduate research has allowed me to confirm my interest in science by giving me the opportunity to get hands-on experience on an actual project. Through this experience I’ve learned critical thinking skills, good research practices, and learned to appreciate the possibilities of research. Having enjoyed the process of scientific discovery and tinkering, my experience has motivated me to pursue research as part of my career.