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| 1. What is your specific area of research (include the name of your faculty and/or laboratory)? |
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| My specific area of research
focuses on the interface of chemistry and biology, a field called
Chemical Biology. We are interested in the synthesis, design and
biological characterization of novel DNA binding ligands for use
in gene modulation technologies. If we can successfully develop
the ability to regulate gene expression, we may have within our
grasp a new paradigm in human medicine. Certain cancers and viral
infections can be turned from life threatening acute conditions
to chronic, manageable disorders. By the targeting and manipulation
of the genome, we can conceivably down regulate oncogenes (or genes
related to the particular disease) to reverse the cancer state!
My primary mentors are Professor Barbara Hamkalo (Molecular Biology
and Biochemistry, UCI) and Professor Michael Berns (Director, Beckman
Laser Institute). With these mentors, I perform most of the biological
characterization. However, in keeping with working at the chemistry-biology
interface, we have set up a collaboration with Professor A. Richard
Chamberlin's lab (Chemistry, UCI) for the synthesis of the compounds.
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| 2. When and how did you first get involved in research? |
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I began my involvement in research the summer
following my freshman year... I had met Dr. Hamkalo in a freshman
seminar and she graciously invited me into her lab. That summer
I learned many biochemical/molecular techniques under the direct
supervision of a post doctorate researcher. My research experience
was greatly enriched when I studied abroad in Denmark for a 6-month
period... in addition to fascinating course work in the biomedical
sciences, I was fortunate enough to embark upon an independent
project on PNA (peptide nucleic acid). After my fruitful experience
in Europe, I returned to UCI with a new outlook on research and
I approached my faculty mentors with exciting research projects
that I had designed. |
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| 3. How has research enhanced you education? |
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Research has been the true key to my success as a science student. The understanding of the experimental techniques employed in modern biological/chemical research has given me insight into the fundamental knowledge behind the textbook science often taught in lectures. Instead of simply memorizing the outcomes of experiments, I engaged the methodology and the actual experimental results to interpret for myself what was discovered. I have found research to be one of the most stimulating parts of my education at UCI. |
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| 4. What has been you favorite experience with research (include any interesting stories or specific events)? |
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Recently, I have been characterizing the cellular uptake of a synthetic DNA binding ligand. In the scientific literature, there have been stunning reports of in vivo HIV-1 replication inhibition (greater than 99%) and other landmark findings that indicate that this synthetic molecule has the unprecedented ability to turn genes on and off. However, an obvious absence of the uptake characteristics of polyamide (in the literature) prompted us to answer that question. I have taken great satisfaction in the knowledge that some of the experiments that I have designed and performed were truly novel and cutting edge for the field. Now, as I prepare my findings it is so fulfilling to see that all the hard work and sleepless nights have amounted to a small advancement to human understanding |
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| 5. What are your future plans and how has being involved in research helped to prepare you to meet your goals? |
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I am planning to pursue an MD/Ph.D. as the next
phase of my education. After much deliberation, I have decided
to attend the NIH funded Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
at the Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional program
starting this summer. The goal of training students in both medicine
and science is to create a new generation of researchers capable
of working at the increasingly vital interface between science
and medicine. Individuals who can bridge the gap and effectively
translate knowledge from both sides have a special insight into
disease and the molecular aspects behind it, which could lead to
new discoveries in medicine. In order to even begin such a long
educational journey, it was necessary for me to know what modern
research is like and if I would enjoy doing it. Happily, my experiences
at UCI and abroad have given me a certain affirmative to that question! |
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| 6. What advice would you give to a student interested in pursuing a faculty-mentored undergraduate research project or creative activity? |
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Start early! As soon as you feel comfortable with your academic requirements (courses etc.) start to investigate what it is that interests you most. The next step would be to find faculty mentors that work in an area of interest. There are many resources for this of which UROP is the best organized. After meeting with prospective faculty mentors go to the lab that "feels" right (I know that this is not too scientific, but I would suppose that you would have picked professors that would make excellent mentors in the first round of selection). From there on, have FUN! Research gives you the opportunity to be creative and independent at a time of your life when developing those attributes contributes heavily to one's success. |
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