What attracted you to the Seifert Scholars program?
I was attracted to the Seifert Scholars program because I knew it would give me the opportunity to be a part of a lab I was already working in. I love the people in my lab and the work that we do, and wanted to take advantage of an opportunity that would allow me to gain this valuable research experience.
What is your research?
This summer, I worked on a project focusing on the localization of multiple mitochondrial proteins within Trypanosoma brucei, the parasite that is responsible for Human African Sleeping Sickness and the livestock disease Nagana. After cloning this protein, we transfected it into procyclic T. brucei cells, which we will image and study. I will continue to work on this project once the school year starts again.
What has been the impact of the Seifert Scholars on your career?
This summer research has opened my eyes to what a career in hands-on research could look like. My focus was entirely spent in the lab, and not having to balance out classes, which gave me insight into what doing this full time could be.
What is the next step of your career?
This internship has only strengthened my passion for science and making a difference in other’s lives. I enjoy the problem solving process and I think it has not only made me a better scientist, but also a better person. After undergrad, I can see myself continuing infectious disease or biochemical research in grad school. I am also considering law school, where I know I can help implement policy to ensure that this vital research is able to continue.