This is a bit wild to write, since research has been such a large part of my undergraduate experience. So here we go.
Starting out
Coming into the UW, I had known that I've wanted to get involved with research in Chemistry. However, in such a big university setting, it seemed like finding an opportunity was a search for a needle in a haystack.
I talked to my Chemistry 145 professor during his first office hours asking for advice about finding a lab to join. I followed his advice and eventually received a response from Professor Bush about a research position.
From the tour in his lab and his description about his research, I realized that research is definitely something I'm enthusiastic about and is something that I want to explore more and potentially make a career out of.
I talked to my Chemistry 145 professor during his first office hours asking for advice about finding a lab to join. I followed his advice and eventually received a response from Professor Bush about a research position.
From the tour in his lab and his description about his research, I realized that research is definitely something I'm enthusiastic about and is something that I want to explore more and potentially make a career out of.
yeast ubiquitin e3 ligases
One of the main research projects that largely influenced my research interests is a project in which my graduate student mentor, Daniele Canzani, and I looked at mass spectrometry based methods to investigate yeast ubiquitin E3 ligase binding partners. This was my first experience with any sort of cell culture, biology work, and it was fun doing more wet lab work for a bit.
Included is a graphic of the overall scheme of ubiquitination and how E3 ligases function that I created for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship application.
Included is a graphic of the overall scheme of ubiquitination and how E3 ligases function that I created for the Mary Gates Research Scholarship application.
NATIVE ANION EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY
One of the major projects I worked on in my time as an undergraduate researcher was on this project. In this, we are using anion exchange chromatography with ammonium acetate to enable a rapid purification, fractionation, and buffer exchange of proteins for the preparation of native mass spectrometry.
We are currently preparing a manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal right now, and working on implementing an online system connecting the chromatography directly to an electrospray ionization source. I've received the Levinson Scholarship and presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium for this project.
Here is one of the figures from the work we've done on the project so far
We are currently preparing a manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal right now, and working on implementing an online system connecting the chromatography directly to an electrospray ionization source. I've received the Levinson Scholarship and presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium for this project.
Here is one of the figures from the work we've done on the project so far
Graduate school and beyond
I have been very fortunate to be able to conduct research as an undergraduate here and spent a lot of my free time in the lab. I've also had the pleasure of working with wonderful mentors who have supported and guided me throughout my UW career and through the application process of graduate school.
Currently, I am still trying to decide between programs. I plan on continuing conducting research related to the use of mass spectrometry in biological systems.
Currently, I am still trying to decide between programs. I plan on continuing conducting research related to the use of mass spectrometry in biological systems.