Austin Aguirre

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Meet Austin Aguirre, a 4th year Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetic major and English minor. Austin is currently involved in the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, a two-year, NIH-funded, undergraduate honors program that seeks to increase the number of biomedical scientists from diverse backgrounds. He was also a part of the Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS)– the program is committed to supporting academic excellence and professional development for students dedicated to careers in the life or physical sciences or mathematics. Austin’s current research revolves around urban ecology and the evolution of dark-eyed juncos through the investigation of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Through the comparison of gut diversity and antibiotic resistance among rural and urban populations, the research explores how these juncos are affected by living in human-populated areas.

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

I joined the Yeh lab during the winter quarter of my sophomore year. By that time, I had completed LS7A and LS7B, and was deeply fascinated by the various concepts in microbiology and ecology. As I started cold-emailing PIs, I knew I wanted to engage in research that bridged these two disciplines, and my current lab proved to be an ideal match. Our lab is dedicated to studying the urban ecology and evolution of birds, specifically dark-eyed juncos, and investigating antibiotic resistance in bacteria as well. I am currently involved in a project that aims to characterize the gut microbiota of juncos. The goal is to assess and compare the gut diversity and antibiotic resistance among rural and urban populations, exploring how these juncos are affected by living in human-populated areas.

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

My research experience at UCLA has been both rewarding and fulfilling. I feel extremely fortunate to have joined a supportive lab community, with mentors who have supported my future research endeavors. A special shoutout to my graduate student mentor, Wilmer, for helping me hone my scientific skills. The sense of community among UCLA researchers has been a highlight, and I’ve enjoyed discussions with various professors, teaching assistants, and fellow students about their research outside of class. I am also grateful to have found additional community and support through the NIH MARC program here at UCLA. Being a MARC scholar has significantly enhanced my research experience, providing profound opportunities, including assistance in attending research conferences and securing summer research positions.

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

It might feel intimidating to join a lab, but at UCLA, there’s an immense number of resources and opportunities to help you get started. It’s crucial to actively seek them out. Being part of PEERS in my early college years was a big help for me. For a leg up, I’d suggest subscribing to the URC-Sciences newsletter to find new opportunities! Networking and staying curious are your best tools for finding your place in research.

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

I’ve presented my research three times at research conferences thanks to my participation in MARC. I’ve attended ABRCMS twice in addition to the Leadership Alliance’s National Symposium as a summer research intern at the University of Pennsylvania. Attending conferences can initially feel intimidating, but from my experience, it’s really a time to celebrate the progress you’ve made in research and have fun. In preparing conference presentations, I’ve found that a strong background is key. Make sure to clearly explain the background so that as

you present your results, you can keep linking them back to this context. This helps to ensure that your audience can easily follow and comprehend your research narrative.

5. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

I have not had my work published yet, but I’m currently writing a manuscript for my project.

6. What are your future career goals?

My goal is to earn a PhD in microbiology, and I aspire to become a principal investigator in infectious diseases research. I am particularly interested in HIV research, a field I delved into this past summer at the University of Pennsylvania. I plan to apply to PhD programs soon. Meanwhile, I am thankful for the opportunity to extend my research journey post-college as a PREP Scholar at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, within their Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Sophia Rueda

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Meet Sophia Rueda, a 3rd year neuroscience major. Sophia is currently engaged in the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, a two-year, NIH-funded, undergraduate honors program that seeks to increase the number of biomedical scientists from diverse backgrounds that significantly impact health-related research. Prior to this, she was also a part of Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS) and CARE Fellows–both programs that support students development of a strong foundation in the sciences and make teaching and/or research a part of their life’s work. Sophia is currently a part of the DeNardo Lab, where she completes research focused on investigating the brain-wide changes in circuit function following repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a promising and noninvasive depression treatment.

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

Before arriving at UCLA, I knew that I was very passionate about the intersection between neuroscience and mental health. During freshman and sophomore year I was fortunate enough to be a part of the PEERS research program which helped me navigate the ins and outs of research at such a big campus. During this exploration, I sought out labs that resonated with my interests in neuroscience, ultimately discovering the DeNardo Lab during my sophomore year. Since then, I’ve been immersed in investigating brain-wide changes in circuit function following repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a noninvasive depression treatment.

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

My research experience at UCLA has been incredibly enriching and insightful. Under the guidance of mentors at the DeNardo Lab, I’ve evolved both as a scientist and as a critical thinker, gaining confidence in my research skills. The supportive and collaborative atmosphere within the lab community has been instrumental in my personal growth. I have been lucky to be part of a community where everyone is happy to share advice and creative ideas.

UCLA has provided me with invaluable opportunities such as the CARE Fellows program and the MARC Program. These programs have allowed me to hone my technical skills such as mock grant writing, thesis development, and creating research posters. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the complexities of research and the dedication required to advance knowledge in the field. I am very excited to be able to continue embarking on independent projects at the Summer 2024 Undergraduate Research Internship at the University of Pennsylvania which I could not have done without all of my wonderful mentors at the MARC program.

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

Entering the field of research can be daunting, and setbacks are inevitable. Experiments will not always go as planned and your questions may not always have clear answers. However, each obstacle is an opportunity for you to learn and grow. Approach every research endeavor with an open mind, passion, and perseverance. Embrace the unknown, as unexpected results often lead to new insights. Remember, mistakes and failures are integral parts of the journey and should never diminish your self-worth.

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

With the support of the MARC program, I had the privilege of attending the 2023 ABRCMS conference, where I showcased the research we have been conducting in the DeNardo Lab. Throughout last summer, I dedicated myself to developing a deep learning pipeline to analyze mouse brain slices post-rTMS treatment. With this brain wide activation data, we were able to propose a model of the effects of rTMS on circuit function. My preparation for the conference involved creating a poster with guidance from my research mentor, rehearsing my presentation, and answering questions from members of the lab, friends, and family. I wanted to ensure that I could communicate my ideas effectively even to those outside the field of neuroscience. Although a nerve-racking experience at first, I had the opportunity to discuss my research and future goals with brilliant researchers from all over the country. This conference definitely reinvigorated my passion for neuroscience and allowed me to grow as a scientist. I can’t wait to attend again next year!

5. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

I contributed to a project currently undergoing the review process on the role of the retrospenial cortex in the emergence of persistent memories. Currently, I have also been working with my mentor on crafting the publication detailing our rTMS findings. Although writing a paper can be a lengthy process, it has allowed me to grasp the big picture and significance of our project. I have also learned the importance of communicating science in an engaging and meaningful way.

6. What are your future career goals?

My goals are to attend graduate school and pursue a PhD in either Neuroscience or Clinical Psychology where I will continue to explore my love for the brain and mental health. I hope to continue using creative research ideas and scientific tools to improve treatment protocols and outcomes for people around the world. Due to my passion for working with kids, I would also love to construct educational programs that mold young scientists. My dream would be to bring these tools and programs back to those in underserved communities in my home country, Colombia. I am dedicated to becoming a socially aware researcher who helps bridge the gap between academia and those in our community.

Jeff Qu

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Meet Jeff Qu, a 4th year Biochemistry major and Structural Biology minor. Jeff is currently a member of the Integrated and Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Program (i2URP), a two-year academic development program that prepares juniors and seniors for graduate studies and careers in biomedical research by improving their comprehension of scientific literature and sharpening their presentation skills. He was also a part of the 2022-2023 Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) and 2021-2022 Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (URFP)–both programs that support students conducting a life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty. We had the opportunity to interview Jeff about his research experience at UCLA.

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

I was curious about the research in biochemistry and how we obtained the understanding of vital life processes in molecular details as I took some classes in chemistry and biology. Then I looked at the URC and departmental website on research opportunities, then I joined the lab by emailing my current PI Dr. Jose Rodriguez. It was in the pandemic, so I picked up a computational project that allowed me to learn coding from the very beginning and understand how to utilize computational tools to probe molecules in silico. After I was on campus, I continued to work on computations as well as getting trained on experimental techniques. Then I begun my independent research project on using machine learning to predict how prone is the proteins to misfold and turned themselves into pathological aggregates known as amyloids.

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

I will say I am really lucky to join the lab with a welcoming atmosphere in undergraduate research as everyone is willing to offer much great advice in research and college life. Not only does my PI encourage me to explore new opportunities and research topics but also my graduate student mentors Samantha Zink and Niko Vlahakis are always there to help me with research training, suggestions for college life, and navigating my career goals. Throughout my experience in the lab, I was exposed to various dimensions of research in structural biology from computational analysis on molecules to experimental structure elucidation, from physics in microscopes to biology in functional assemblies and all of them are conveyed by my awesome mentors who are willing to help me out from the scratch. Other help from the programs at URC is also a key factor to prepare me to become more acquainted with scientific research and all of those people contributed to my meaningful research experience.

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

In my opinion, being active when thinking about research projects as well as communicating with others is really important to become a researcher. I feel like the shift of perspective from a student to a researcher is achieved through actively learning and asking questions to carry out research projects rather than simply conducting experiments. I gained many valuable insights from my peers and mentors when I had some questions about my research or recent publications. Most importantly, I became more excited about research as I gained more understanding about the project so active learning and engaging in conversations really encouraged me to explore more about the field.

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

I presented my work at the West Coast Structural Biology Workshop 2023, and it was a really nice experience. Before the presentation I was putting all my work together to a poster and I learned a lot about how to make the poster more compelling and readable from lab members. And we have to give a flash talk prior to the meeting so formatting all my research highlights to a 2-minute talk was also quite challenging. Anyways it is a really nice experience, my presentation was welcomed by many researchers from other universities, and I discussed and gained a lot of suggestions from other people and their research.

5. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

We are now currently working on drafting the paper, so it is another experience to put everything together into a story. We also established a website for our tool to the research community and it is pretty fun to build it with my mentor.

6. What are your future career goals?

I am thinking about getting a PhD degree after undergraduate, and I am planning to stick around generally with biophysics and biochemistry. After obtaining my doctoral degree, I plan to continue doing professional research in academia or industry.

Emil Dominguez

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Meet Emil Dominguez, a 3rd year biochemistry major with a minor in biomedical research. He is currently involved in the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, a two-year, NIH-funded, undergraduate honors program that seeks to increase the number of biomedical scientists from diverse backgrounds that significantly impact health-related research. Emil was also a winner of the Best Poster award at the 2023 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) and a recipient of the 2023-2024 UCLA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Student Leadership Award. We had the opportunity to interview Emil about his research experience at UCLA:

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

My research journey took an unconventional route, beginning in community college before being accepted to UCLA. While in community college, I was fortunate to be accepted into the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program Richard Morgan Undergraduate Fellowship, a life-changing experience. That summer, I joined Dr. Keriann M. Backus’s laboratory, where I gained a foundation in chemical biology. It was exciting to synthesize a small molecule and test its biological properties in cells. When I transferred to UCLA later that fall, I was thrilled to be invited to pursue additional projects in the Backus laboratory. I’ve been deeply involved in research ever since.

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

My research experience at UCLA has been incredibly enriching. Each week, I look forward to the chemistry and biochemistry department seminars. From organic and inorganic chemistry to biochemistry and chemical biology, I’ve been exposed to so many diverse research fields and had the opportunity to expand my scientific knowledge. Hearing from Nobel laureates and the world’s leading researchers at events like the Sigman Symposium and Glenn T. Seaborg Symposium has been inspiring. I feel so lucky to be a part of this amazing research community with incredible mentors like Dr. Backus, Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau, and Dr. Tama Hasson, to name a few.

Also, thanks to Dr. Gina Poe, Dr. Megan McEvoy, and Larone Ellison, I’ve had the opportunity to expand my horizons in the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program. Their guidance and support have allowed me to undertake independent and sustained research experiences at UCLA and abroad. Through MARC’s support, I participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Internship at the University of Pennsylvania and, more recently, the Vanderbilt Undergraduate MSTP fellowship, which I will attend in the summer of 2024.

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

My biggest tip is to start as early as possible, especially if you’re a transfer. Don’t be discouraged by how challenging it might be to understand complex concepts during lab meetings. Research is a constant learning journey; with each lab meeting, your understanding will deepen. Gradually, complex topics will become clearer, and you’ll start coming up with your own ideas and contributions.

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

I recently attended the 2023 ABRCMS conference, where I presented research I conducted in Dr. Dirk Trauner’s laboratory through the Summer Undergraduate Internship Program at the University of Pennsylvania. I worked to develop a photoswitchable version of cholesterol in the hopes that its incorporation into a phospholipid membrane, such as in a liposome, would afford us optical control over its permeability and, thus, the delivery of its contents. Much of my preparation began as soon as I landed in Philadelphia. I was given my own lab space and worked to set it up from scratch, including assembling a schlenk line used for air-free chemistry and preparing personal stock solutions and supplies. I happily worked late into the night and sometimes into the early morning hours and was completely immersed in my project. At the end of my summer, I gave a detailed PowerPoint research update during the weekly Trauner group meeting. Fielding questions and getting feedback and ideas for future experiments from labmates and Dirk was great preparation for presenting at ABRCMS.

5. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

I contributed to a project currently under review at Nature Chemical Biology, which has been deposited into the bioRxiv.

The publication process has helped me develop a big-picture understanding of our research project. I learned how to craft a narrative around our findings, proposing experiments that contribute to a cohesive story. It also forced me to think critically about project design and how to select and propose impactful experiments.

6. What are your future career goals?

I am driven to become a physician-scientist and address biomedical research questions impacting communities of color. My ultimate goal is to lead research as a principal investigator, where I can leverage my scientific expertise and clinical experience to find solutions that directly address these disparities.

Alex Wu

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Meet Alex Wu, a 4th year Design | Media Arts and Neuroscience double major. Alex is currently involved in the Integrated and Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Program (i2URP), a two-year academic development program that prepares juniors and seniors for graduate studies and careers in biomedical research by improving their comprehension of scientific literature and sharpening their presentation skills. During the 2023 summer, he was a part of the Amgen Scholars Program, a national program for students committed to pursuing a career in biomedical research. He is also a 2023-2024 UCLA Neuroscience Scheibel Scholar. We were able to ask Alex about his research experience at UCLA:

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

Coming into UCLA I had an idea of what I hoped to research—I liked neuroscience and was interested in understanding how our brain and behavior worked. I also knew that I wanted to approach such questions from computationally. I cold emailed a list of computational neuroscience labs and am grateful that Dr. Masmanidis and his lab was willing to take on and mentor me as an undergraduate. Getting to the project I am working on now was a lot of learning on the job. I learned bits and pieces of immunohistochemical imaging, mice handling, and experimental design from what the graduate students and post-docs needed help with on their projects. All of that prepared me for the Parkinson’s Disease mice gait model project that I am researching now.

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

My research experience as a part of the Masmanidis Lab has been one of my most meaningful experiences at UCLA because of how it combines all of my neuroscience knowledge and skills together. There has been a lot of patience involved when experiments need to be revised or inconclusive results appear. But when all of my procedures start to come together and I start to see trends in my data, it makes the incremental nature of being in a lab worth it. I am also grateful for the research community I have met at UCLA; being a part of the i2URP program, the Amgen Scholars program, and the neuroscience community at UCLA is something I will treasure even after graduation.

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

Research is an unpredictable and patient process. I would try to learn to get comfortable with the uncomfortable reality that nothing about being at the forefront of science is set in stone. Even with the most comprehensive literature search or up-to-date data, it is not easy to predict if an experiment will turn out the way you imagined or if an opportunity will go your way. However, that is okay and everyone feels that way! Being willing to take a leap of faith to find a mentor or pursue a lead even if you aren’t fully confident you are ready can be chances to learn about the process and yourself. Trust that you are making the most informed decision you can and that things will slowly sort themselves out.

4. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process is like?

I have helped with the publications of some of the graduate students and post-docs in the lab, including a paper that is currently in pre-print. It was interesting to see how our work is far from over even after finishing our first experiments. Rather, following a submission, it is an ongoing process of revisions and troubleshooting based on the feedback we get.

5. What are your future career goals?

Following graduation I intend to work in clinical research, whether at UCLA or elsewhere, while applying to MD/PhD programs. As a career I hope to work with applications of neurotechnologies for clinical situations, particularly in regards to neurodegenerative disorders, as a physician scientist.

Kevin Alfaro

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Meet Kevin Alfaro, a 4th year Physics major with a background in Astronomy. He is currently involved in the UC Leadership Excellence Through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) Program. UC LEADS provides undergraduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in academia, industry, government, and public service following the completion of a doctoral degree. Additionally, Kevin was involved in the UCLA Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS), an intensive two year program committed to promoting academic excellence and professional development for students dedicated to careers in the life or physical sciences or mathematics. We had the opportunity to interview Kevin about his research experience at UCLA:

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

I first got involved in research in the summer after my second year. I was in UCLA’s Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS). Through them, I learned about a program called University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS), which is a research fellowship that prepares undergraduates from underprivileged backgrounds to kickstart their research careers. They provide funding and support for you to get research experience and prepare for graduate school. From there, I contacted professors whose research I was interested in and ended up working with Professor Tuan Do. My current project involves using convolutional neural networks for photometric redshift estimation of galaxies.

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

My research experience at UCLA has been very fruitful and gratifying. I have a very supportive lab environment and never feel scared to ask for help. I enjoy the work I’m doing and getting to share it during presentations and conferences. I’ve gained a deeper knowledge of several topics I’m interested in such as machine learning and cosmology. And have also learned how to solve problems more creatively and in collaboration with several people. It’s also given me a sense of what to look forward to in graduate school.

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

My main piece of advice for students thinking about getting involved in research is to engage with it at their own pace. There have been several times when I burnt myself out from doing too much. It’s okay to slow things down and accept that setbacks are commonplace. Doing so also helps you better understand your project, and taking breaks can give you time to sit back and think about your work differently. There have been several times when I spent way too long on a problem, only to find a solution for it after stepping back and being in a more relaxed state of mind. At the end of the day, working too much will not only degrade one’s work, but it will also degrade the self.

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

I attended and presented at the 2023 UC LEADS symposium. Preparing for a conference is very much like preparing for a presentation in class. You have to make sure your information is easily digestible and concise. As well as be ready to anticipate any questions you can see people asking during your presentation. Most conferences have you present a poster and the making of the poster is usually what’s new to students during their first conference. As long as all of your information is concise and your figures are easy to decipher, you can freely design it as much or as little as you like. Admittedly, making a poster is a considerable endeavor and I would recommend you ask your labmates to provide feedback. You can even present it in front of them to rehearse. My biggest piece of advice would be to make a slideshow first, then move all of the information onto the poster format later. Focus on the content first, then turn your attention to the presentation of said information. Once you actually present, it’s also okay to not know the answer to questions you get asked. No one expects you to know everything there is to know about your subfield.

5. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

My work is in the process of getting submitted or being written up. I’m a coauthor on journal submissions but a first-author on conference papers. Both are relatively similar. Typically, you’d produce a manuscript, which is like a combination of a lab report and a literature review. You put your original work in and contextualize its value to the field. You’d submit it to a journal or conference and go through a peer review process where people with relevant experience will review your paper. If your paper gets accepted, you will typically get comments from the reviewers on corrections you can make to improve the work. The submission and review process can take time so don’t feel bad because the experience can be nerve-wracking.

6. What are your future career goals?

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I am going to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics. I ultimately want to go through graduate school and see if I would enjoy being a professor. If not, I can definitely see myself working in private research or the technology industry.

2024 CAMP Undergraduate Research Symposium

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The Louis Stokes California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) is an NSF-funded program shared across nine UC campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Riverside, and Merced). Its goal is to enhance diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields at the PhD and faculty level by providing financial and professional development support to students from groups underrepresented in these fields. The CAMP Symposium showcases undergraduate STEM research in from all nine UC campuses in the alliance. CAMP students who are supported by NSF-funded grants present the research they have performed under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The 2024 Symposium was held on February 3, 2024 at UC Riverside. Attendees from UCLA were led by Dr. Jorge Avila, the CAMP Administrative Director at UCLA. Several students were recognized with awards and Abigail Gutierrez, a 2022-2023 UCLA CAMP Scholar and NIH-funded Postbaccalaureate Researcher in the Lindsay De Biase lab, served as an Alumni Panelist. Special Merit Award in Life Sciences Ariana Infante Jordi Martinez Blake Williams Special Merit Award in Physical Sciences and Engineering Angel Lima Hernandez Honorable Mention in Life Sciences Albert Macias Pictured in left group photo from left to right, top to bottom: Blake Williams, Albert Macias, Jordi Martinez, Angel Lima Hernandez, Ariana Infante Pictured in right group photo from left to right, top to bottom: Albert Macias, Jesus Velazquez, Abigail Gutierrez, Dr. Jorge Avila, Ariana Infante, Jordi Martinez, Blake Williams, Angel Lima Hernandez Pictured in individual poster photos from left to right, top to bottom: Jordi Martinez, Ariana Infante, Albert Macias, Blake Williams, Angel Lima Hernandez, Jesus Velazquez

The Louis Stokes California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) is an NSF-funded program shared across nine UC campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Riverside, and Merced). Its goal is to enhance diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields at the PhD and faculty level by providing financial and professional development support to students from groups underrepresented in these fields.

The CAMP Symposium showcases undergraduate STEM research in from all nine UC campuses in the alliance. CAMP students who are supported by NSF-funded grants present the research they have performed under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The 2024 Symposium was held on February 3, 2024 at UC Riverside. Attendees from UCLA were led by Dr. Jorge Avila, the CAMP Administrative Director at UCLA. Several students were recognized with awards and Abigail Gutierrez, a 2022-2023 UCLA CAMP Scholar and NIH-funded Postbaccalaureate Researcher in the Lindsay De Biase lab, served as an Alumni Panelist.

Special Merit Award in Life Sciences

Ariana Infante

Jordi Martinez

Blake Williams

Special Merit Award in Physical Sciences and Engineering

Angel Lima Hernandez

Honorable Mention in Life Sciences

Albert Macias

Pictured in left group photo from left to right, top to bottom: Blake Williams, Albert Macias, Jordi Martinez, Angel Lima Hernandez, Ariana Infante
Pictured in right group photo from left to right, top to bottom: Albert Macias, Jesus Velazquez, Abigail Gutierrez, Dr. Jorge Avila, Ariana Infante, Jordi Martinez, Blake Williams, Angel Lima Hernandez
Pictured in individual poster photos from left to right, top to bottom: Jordi Martinez, Ariana Infante, Albert Macias, Blake Williams, Angel Lima Hernandez, Jesus Velazquez

2023 ABRCMS Winners

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For over 20 years, the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) has been the go-to conference for historically excluded students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The 2023 ABRCMS was held in Phoenix, Arizona from November 15-19, and an unprecedented number of UCLA students were recognized. A total of fifteen students from UCLA won awards for their presentations.

Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Emil Dominguez, Justin Amakor, Lianne Alson, Kelechi Onwuzurike, Austin Aguirre, Derick Diaz, Jennifer Gonzalez, Amelia Rodolf

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Miguel Medina Lopez

Cancer Biology

Derick Diaz

Mattias de los Rios Rogers

Cell Biology

Justin Amakor

Chemistry

Emil Dominguez

Lianne Alson

Microbiology

Austin Aguirre

Neuroscience

Chukwuebuka Oragwam

Jennifer Gonzalez

Gabriela Vilchez

Sophia Rueda

Engineering, Physics, and Mathematics

Adriann Josef Brodeth

Kelechi Onwuzurike

Ava Asmani

Amelia Rodolf

Melody Haratian

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Meet Melody Haratian, a 4th year Psychobiology major. Melody is currently a member of the Integrated and Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Program (i2URP), a two-year academic development program that prepares juniors and seniors for graduate studies and careers in biomedical research by improving their comprehension of scientific literature and sharpening their presentation skills. She was also a part of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) during the 2022-2023 academic year, a three-quarter scholarship program that supports students who are conducting a life science, physical science, or engineering research project with a UCLA faculty. We had the chance to speak to Melody about her research experience at UCLA:

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

Although my first year at UCLA was entirely online, there was news that we would be back in-person for the fall of my second year. Thus, the summer after my first year I began emailing different labs with research topics that I was interested in. Some of the labs I emailed offered me an interview, and from there we saw whether or not I would be a good fit for their lab! The interview process mostly checked for what I would be interested in studying in their lab, my time commitment, and my past experiences with laboratory techniques.

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

My research experience at UCLA has been extremely rewarding. Primarily, I have been able to experience what it’s like to be a scientist and learn about different laboratory techniques like immunohistostaining, 3D-reconstruction, and imaging. Many of my courses at UCLA do not cover these laboratory techniques, so it’s nice to be able to experience these at a lab where I’m able to get feedback and support from my lab team. Next, I’m thankful to have met so many wonderful people that I have many things in common with at my lab. All of us in the lab have a passion for discovery and research, which makes it easy to make friends and meet new people. Finally, working at a lab has been a great way for me to understand how to use the scientific method and learn about the trial and error involved in research.

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

I would encourage students to get involved with research as soon as they can. Research is truly a wonderful experience to have at UCLA and there’s so many amazing labs that you can join. You don’t need prior research/lab experience to join a lab, so don’t let that limit you. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to different professors who you’re interested in working with- if they have spots open I’m sure they’d be happy to have you!

4. What are your future career goals?

My dream is to join an MD/PhD program in Neuroscience (ideally behavioral Neuroscience). Furthermore, I would like to pursue research after graduating and engage in Neuroscience research in different topics.

Bezawit Danna

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Meet Bezawit Danna, a 4th year Biochemistry major and Biomedical Research minor who is currently involved in the UC Leadership Excellence Through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) Program. UC LEADS provides undergraduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with educational experiences that prepare them to assume positions of leadership in academia, industry, government, and public service following the completion of a doctoral degree. Her work was published recently in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a journal published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Additionally, Bezawit was involved in the UCLA Program for Excellence in Education and Research in the Sciences (PEERS), an intensive two year program committed to promoting academic excellence and professional development for students dedicated to careers in the life or physical sciences or mathematics. Through PEERS, she also participated in the CARE Fellows Program and Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP). We were able to ask Bezawit about her research experience at UCLA:

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

In my first year, I was introduced to research through the PEERS program, which is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, professional development, and integrating research into students’ experiences. My interest in mitochondrial metabolism research started when I learned about mitochondria, a small yet complex organelle, in my introduction to biology and biochemistry classes. Fortunately, I found out about Dr. Ajit Divakaruni’s lab in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology through an email announcement from the PEERS program, stating that he was seeking new students. The Divakaruni lab focuses on studying mitochondrial metabolism and bioenergetics in various metabolic diseases such as neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. After quickly sending my resume and cover letter, I secured an interview and began working in the lab during my sophomore year in the winter of 2022. I am still working in the same lab. Currently, I am working on a collaborative project with UC Berkeley, examining how lipotoxicity affects mitochondrial DNA synthesis in liver cells. I am excited about our collaboration that bridges mitochondrial studies from mitochondrial DNA to metabolism, extending its impact within the broader scientific community.

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

Joining the Divakaruni’s lab without prior research experience was an intimidating and daunting moment at first, but Dr. Ajit Divakaruni and the group have been very supportive mentors, teaching me numerous invaluable skills. They have provided guidance, encouragement, and laboratory skills throughout my research journey, starting with basics of using pipette and always being available to answer my questions. They have made a huge impact in my future path in pursuing research. I am also grateful to the UC LEADS program for allowing me to continue research, with continuous encouragement from Dr. David Gray. Through UC LEADS, I conducted research at UC Berkeley during summer of 2023 for two months. Overall, my research experience at UCLA has been incredibly rewarding, exciting, encouraging, and inspiring.

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

For students interested in research, my advice is to stay open-minded about opportunities and not be discouraged by a lack of prior research experience, as many undergraduates start their research journey without any prior experience. If you are interested in a research program, apply without hesitation. Similarly, when considering labs, take the initiative to reach out to various professors you are interested in and always have confidence in yourself.

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

I presented a poster on my research at the UC LEADS Research and Leadership Symposium at UC San Diego in April 2023. The preparation for the symposium involved deciding which figures to include on the poster and preparing the initial draft. I presented this draft during a lab meeting, received constructive feedback, and incorporated suggestions to edit the poster. Afterward, I presented the final draft at another lab meeting and received approval from my PI, Dr. Divakaruni. As it was my first poster presentation, I wasn’t sure what to expect. During the presentation, we hung our posters in designated spots and stood beside our poster, typically for about one hour and thirty minutes. Attendees including scientist doctors, graduate students, undergraduates approached, asked for presentations, and asked multiple questions. I really enjoyed this poster presentation, gaining valuable insights from doctors, graduate students, and UC LEADS scholars across UC campus.

5. Have you had your work published? Can you talk about what that process was like?

The project I contributed on is titled “The BCKDK inhibitor BT2 is a chemical uncoupler that lowers mitochondrial ROS production and de novo lipogenesis”.

Publishing a research paper takes a while. First, you plan and organize the paper, deciding what data to include. Then, you submit it to journals, where it undergoes review. Often, reviewers ask for more experiments or changes. You then make those adjustments and send it back. This back-and-forth can take a couple of months. It’s a bit of a journey, but it ensures the quality of the research before it gets published. In the case of this paper, it took about five months from the initial submission to the final publication.

6. What are your future career goals?

My goal is to attend graduate school and pursue a PhD in Biomedical studies, with a specific focus on metabolic diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases and/or diabetes.