Emily Silva

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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

Zahra Gill

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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.

Priscilla Yang

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Meet Priscilla Yang! Priscilla is a recent UCLA graduate who received her B.S. in Bioengineering with a minor in Geography/Environmental Studies. She was involved in the Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP) during the 2022-2023 academic year, a two-quarter program that supports UCLA students who are conducting a life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty. Additionally, Priscilla was a 2023-2024 Internet Research Initiative Scholar (IRI), a program that supports research that addresses aspects of technology development, social trends or problems, ethics, and/or justice relating to the Internet. One piece of advice Priscilla has for undergraduate students thinking about getting involved in research is to “…prioritize good mentors — look for labs and professors who build uplifting learning environments and have a teaching style that works well for you! (I.e. Are you hoping to work 1-on-1 with a graduate student who is very hands-on? How often do you hope to talk with your professor about your research?).”

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

I first got involved with my environmental engineering research after learning about my TA’s PhD research during class. I was excited about the impacts of such research, so I reached out, set up a meeting, and slowly got trained in the lab over the next couple of months!

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

I’ve had a very transformative and exploratory research experience at UCLA! I had the opportunity to join a variety of research projects: environmental engineering research at a formal UCLA lab regarding microbial technology for contaminant cleanup and wastewater treatment systems; co-leading a student-run research group as part of the Biomedical Engineering Society’s Research Team surrounding hydrogels for insulin delivery; and an individual creative research project through the Internet Research Initiative exploring music as a communication medium in healthcare. Through all of these, I found the fun in hands-on learning through experiments, critical thinking in experimental design and data analysis, and an overall passion for maneuvering between various scientific fields by using fundamental principles. Research at UCLA was also a key driver in my graduate school pursuits!

3. What is your year and major?

I just graduated in Spring 2024 with a B.S. in Bioengineering and a minor in Geography/Environmental Studies.

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

My biggest piece of advice for students thinking about getting involved in research is to prioritize good mentors — look for labs and professors who build uplifting learning environments and have a teaching style that works well for you! (I.e. Are you hoping to work 1-on-1 with a graduate student who is very hands-on? How often do you hope to talk with your professor about your research?)

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

I had the opportunity to attend the BMES (Biomedical Engineering Society) Annual Meeting 2023 in Seattle during the fall! It was an enriching experience overall- my main reason for attendance was to present a poster about my research project within the Internet Research Initiative. Leading up to the conference, I worked to finalize my poster design, as well as draft, edit, and practice my pitch talk over and over. During the actual presentation, it was a lively atmosphere of students ranging from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels. Typically, the flow of events occurred with passerbys being interested in my poster title, me presenting my pitch talk, and them interacting and asking questions afterward. I even got to network on LinkedIn with fellow students as well!

Beyond presenting my poster, an unexpected yet useful experience I had at the conference was interacting with graduate school representatives at their booths. Since this was around the time where graduate school applications were being submitted, I was able to talk to current students at the programs I was looking at, along with admissions officers who provided application tips. Even better, a few schools offered application fee waivers just for your attendance! Beyond academic work, I was a volunteer for both the national BMES organization and the UCLA department of Bioengineering. Thus, I got to meet a variety of like-minded bioengineering students; moderate and learn about cutting-edge research panels; and share my personal experiences at UCLA bioengineering with prospective students! Overall, it was a worthwhile experience, and I’d encourage interested students to look into funding resources (Undergraduate Research Center fund, Academic Affairs Commission Travel Fund, etc) to help mitigate costs and make travel more accessible.

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?

I will be pursuing a master’s in Biomedical Engineering and a graduate minor in Entrepreneurship at Northwestern University this fall! Beyond that, I aspire to gain industry experience in the biotechnology space and potentially pursue a PhD and MBA in the future.

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

Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (URFP) – 2022-2023

Internet Research Initiative Scholar – 2023-2024

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

Undergraduate research at UCLA played a pivotal role in my pursuit for graduate school in my career path. The creativity, critical thinking, collaborative, and communication skills that I developed through research have been instrumental in my career path, carrying me beyond the lab bench and into industry roles!

Arya Okten (2018 cohort) Publishes “Mathematical Investigations of Dr. O and Arya”.

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2018 Scholar, Arya Okten, has published a book with her father called “Mathematical Investigations of Dr. O and Arya”.  Watch a video of them discussing their book  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACS-axkPe30.

2018 Scholar, Arya Okten, has published a book with her father called “Mathematical Investigations of Dr. O and Arya”.  Watch a video of them discussing their book  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACS-axkPe30.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Craig Merlic

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Dr. Craig Merlic joined UCLA faculty in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA in 1989. He served as Vice Chair for the Department from 1997 to 2000 and 2004 to 2008. At UCLA, he has received a National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award, a Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship in addition to several teaching awards. Aside from mentoring students in UC LEADS, he also serves as the Chair of the Faculty Advisory Board for the URC-Sciences. Dr. Merlic sat and discussed in length with Dr. Tama Hasson, Director of the URC-Sciences, about his extensive experiences in research:

 

1. Can you tell us about your history with the URCs and how you first got involved versus what your role is now?

I started working with undergraduate research students my first year as an assistant professor at UCLA. I probably worked with an equal number of undergraduate and graduate student researchers. A few years after that I wrote a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant that was funded, and through that grant I sponsored students to do summer research in Chemistry at UCLA. While working on that program, I became involved with Professor Judi Smith in looking at the greater needs of supporting undergraduate research on the UCLA campus. In 1996 I wrote another NSF grant, one that was an award for UCLA and Professor Smith, who was the Provost for Undergraduate Education, to create the Undergraduate Research Centers. This NSF grant, the Recognition Award for the Integration of Research and Education (RAIRE) gave Professor Smith and I the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to discuss our goals for undergraduate research at UCLA with program officers at the NSF. Our conviction was that we needed to leverage resources to get more students engaged in research. And participating in research was a foundational benefit for students at a research university. Professor Smith, of course, took the lead, but I was involved from the get-go in the formation of the Centers. I became a member of the original faculty advisory committee in 2003. Then Tama arrived. I actually claim credit for recruiting her to UCLA as my wife is a close friend of hers. In spring 2015 I took over as the director of the UC LEADS program [an undergraduate research program supporting physical science and engineering first generation students interested in research careers] and joined the current incarnation of the URC-Sciences faculty advisory board. In fall of 2019, I became chair of the Board.

2. Are there any particular success stories that stand out to you over your time with the URCs?

From that original REU I ran, about half the participating students went on to obtain their PhDs in Chemistry. But more striking is the success of UC LEADS students. Across the UC system about 70% of UC LEADS alumni are either currently enrolled in graduate school or have already earned graduate degrees in a variety of doctoral and master’s programs. UCLA has an even better record with 78% of our UC LEADS alumni getting graduate degrees!

3. What is the most rewarding thing about your work with the URCs?

To me, I learn lots of science from awesome students. I tell all of the UC LEADS students that I love to be the program director because I get to work with and learn from chemists, physicists, geologists, engineers etc. It is so exciting to work with the students and help them progress in their research abilities and I get to learn so much science at the same time!

4. What are the biggest changes you have witnessed in undergraduate research at UCLA? How have you seen the URCs evolve?

Support for the students! When I first started there were only a few students being financially supported during the summer and none during the academic year. Now we are supporting SO many students with a number of different programs! It is clear that UCLA recognizes the value of undergraduate research.
Also, the URCs have grown! Not only in the number of staff, but more importantly in the number of programs they run. So most importantly, in the number of students that they now support. As one measure of that support, during the first Science Poster Day there were about 80 poster presenters. Now we have a week-long event with thousands of participants and visitors!

5. What do you envision is next for the URCs as you look towards the future?

First is to provide support for every research student who needs it or wants it.
Second, we need to dramatically increase the scholarship amounts, particularly in the summer. We have to increase the amounts as some students give up jobs to do research. As an extreme example, consider my father. He worked during the summers and then he was pay for his tuition and fees and living costs for the next year of school. For me, I also worked in the summers and then was able to cover all of my school and personal costs, but my parents covered my living costs. But now neither of those models is unattainable – students would need $20k per summer to do what I did as a college student. Hence, I feel student researchers really deserve at least $10,000 as a minimum in summer to cover what they lose in job income. Right now students are paid half that or less.

6. What makes undergraduate research critical for a campus and community?

It connects faculty to the undergraduate students. When I teach 350+ students in a large class, I might meet a few in office hours, but that’s about it. In research I get to closely work worth students for an extended period of time. So there are students that I worked with three decades ago and I am still in contact with them.
Mostly, it provides a critical connection between students and the RESEARCH University (R1). This is a critical component of UCLA where we train PhDs. This way undergraduates too can see and contribute to the excitement of discovery!

7. Why do you support the URCs and why should other people?
See all of the above!
The state of California has specific funding guidelines that often tie student funding support to classes. Unfortunately, undergraduate research is not counted as a class in the same way. Hence, outside funding is critical. And since money will not come from the state, it is probably most critical to support students during their summer research.

URSP FAQ’s

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