During my summer at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine last year, I conducted computational genetics research, focused, on finding genetic targets of evolution within wild mice populations. My work was very much enshrined in basic science, which includes researching the fundamentals of science, as opposed to studying applicable solutions to specific diseases, for example. These fundamentals remain important as they represent the foundation on which clinical applications are created.
My interest in basic science research started in high school with my experience as an emergency medical technician, a chance for me to learn and use specialized skills to make a tangible, immediate impact on someone’s life—work I continue to do when home. Behind the drama of every has been my desire to understand the factors underlying an emergency situation. Whether it was cancer, cardiac issues, or a diabetic emergency, I quickly realized through my EMT work that I wanted to know more—to understand the molecular, genetic, and evolutionary intricacies of a person’s condition. This fueled my growing desire to pursue research that goes into the complex factors of what I saw on the surface. This was a key turning point for me where service led to purpose.
At Rutgers, I was able to get hands-on experience in research through my work in the lab of Dr. Vikas Nanda at the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, where I have been working on a protein design project. I am using python with data analysis packages to computationally search protein structures for specific motifs with a future goal being to design proteins of evolutionary importance with similar functions in a minimal manner. It was in Dr. Nanda’s lab that I cut my teeth on computational skills, and I realized how much of an interest I had in leveraging mathematics and computation for biological applications.
At the Jackson Laboratory, I learned new computational tools in the field of population genetics. Going from a biochemistry/protein design lab to a mouse genetics lab was a challenging change of pace, but I seriously enjoyed learning about something entirely new. In the future, I hope to take these computational and data analytics skills to the medical field as a doctor, both working with patients and furthering clinical and scientific knowledge.
My favorite aspect about Jax was just how tight-knit the entire community was. My lab presented a positive and welcoming environment, where I felt I could really learn and even make mistakes with something new.
Outside of work, the other interns and I would hike around Acadia National Park, visit Bar Harbor, and relax together. I also had a lot of completely new and exciting experiences, like white water rafting and hiking up Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine. It was absolutely amazing to see my physical ability transform through the summer as I got better at hiking. I felt like I was pushing myself mentally and physically through the opportunities I had in and out of work. I was also able to make strong connections with other driven and like-minded students. Having all lived together over the summer, I made close friendships and learned a lot from the other students.
I can say that I was lucky to have such a rich summer experience, doing research I enjoyed and coming home to a community of great friends. My passion for research and my intellectual curiosity led me to the Honors College, to my work at Rutgers, and on to the Jackson Laboratory, and I am glad that I took advantage of the opportunities that I found within Rutgers and beyond.