Archive for category: Student Spotlight

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.

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

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.

Meet Justin Purnomo, a 3rd year Biochemistry major participating 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. We had the opportunity to ask Justin about his research experience at UCLA:

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

I joined the Neuhauser Group at the end of my first year, which was the result of countless cold emails to numerous chemistry faculty members. I did not know what to expect when Dr. Daniel Neuhauser accepted me into his theoretical chemistry-focused lab, but I am so thankful for the opportunity that I received. In less than a year, I was able to learn how to program in Fortran and the fundamentals of quantum chemistry, both of which are skills the average biochemistry student would not acquire through their undergraduate coursework.

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

I would describe my research experience as both unexpected and fulfilling. As a naive first year at the time, I did not know what to expect going into research. Initially, my goal was to use this research experience to bolster my resume when applying to medical school. However, I grew to love the research and academic environment to the point that I decided to change career goals from medicine to academia. I also discovered my passion for teaching during my time at UCLA, and I realized that I would have something to offer academically by merging my interests in theoretical chemistry and biochemistry.

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

Take initiative! Do your own research on the faculty that interests you, and take the time to understand what kind of work they are doing. If it’s difficult to understand certain topics, I would encourage you to reach out to either the faculty of interest, or even some of the graduate students in the lab. 

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

Yes, I’ve attended a couple conferences. My most recent one was the SoCal TheoChem Symposium 2023, which was hosted at UCLA in October. Though I had prior experience presenting in a conference, this was the first time in which the general audience consisted of graduate students and faculty. As a biochemistry major with limited experience in theoretical chemistry, I was initially nervous about presenting in front of people more qualified than me. However, those who came to visit my poster made me feel welcome by listening attentively and offering insightful feedback. I realized that I had something to offer with my research, and that more importantly, that the academic community was nurturing. Overall, I would say that I grew immensely as a scientist and a presenter through this experience. 

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

I’ve had my work published with the UCLA Undergraduate Science Journal (USJ), which is a student-run organization that helps facilitate the peer review and publication process for undergraduates looking to publish their work. I would strongly recommend making the most of this opportunity, as it’s a good way for beginner-researchers to secure a first publication. The UCLA USJ scaffolds the writing of the manuscript in a manner designed not to overwhelm, and walks with students every step of the way to ensure a smooth publication process. I personally found the process to be enjoyable and rewarding, and I am already looking forward to reading the research papers published in next year’s UCLA USJ!

6. What are your future career goals?

I plan to pursue a PhD in chemical biology, where I hope to leverage my theoretical chemistry background to solve biological problems. I am particularly interested in using computational tools to better understand protein structure and biological processes. After obtaining my PhD, I would like to become an instructional university professor focusing on the intersection of biochemistry and molecular biophysics. 

Meet Ryan Wong: a sophomore in the pre-Computational and Systems Biology major, an interdisciplinary major at UCLA. This past summer, Ryan was part of the 2023 URC-Sciences Summer Program, a 10-week opportunity for UCLA undergraduates to undertake research with a UCLA faculty and receive professional development through workshops and seminars. We had the opportunity to hear more about Ryan’s research experience at UCLA:

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

Few other organs in the body are as important as the brain; it controls everything! Isn’t that interesting? So many things can damage it but we don’t have any reliable methods of healing or prevention. That’s why the Geschwind Lab’s research in neurological disorders caught my eye as I looked for opportunities for my sophomore summer. I reached out and quickly found a positive and supportive work environment where I learned about different modern computational techniques and applied them to the research project I’m working on now.

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

I can only say that it’s been a blast! Conducting research in science is remarkably different from studying science in a classroom. My lab and research have given me a space to freely make mistakes, to grow, and explore topics that I find myself continuing to ask questions about! I’m fortunate to have a great mentor who supports my personal and professional goals, and it’s only allowed me to grow my experience in academia even more.

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

So many people experience imposter syndrome when they first get involved in research. But it’s important to realize that everyone starts from somewhere. Whenever I face these struggles, I remember that the only way I can grow is by challenging myself, and that I can rely on my mentor to guide me.

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

As part of my last research program, I presented at a poster presentation among my peers. It’s definitely a nerve-wracking experience and I couldn’t help but compare my project with the others’. Thankfully, my mentors were there to help and support me throughout the way, giving me a fresh perspective on my presentation and helping me anticipate questions. When it finally came time to present, I was no longer nervous and actually realized that presentations are an amazing forum for scientists to share their ideas, meet like-minded individuals, and become interested in the research in and out of their field!

5. What are your future career goals?

I hope to pursue an MD-PhD and one day contribute to improving the health of our communities!