2024-25 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH LEADERS

Year: Junior
Email: sdahlg@uw.edu

Research Project Title: Therapeutic Efficacy and Mechanism of Catalase-Loaded Nanoparticles in the Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain

Project Description: Physiological barriers prevent the majority of substances from entering the brain. While this protects the most important organ in your body, it also makes it challenging for medicine to reach damaged cells when the brain suffers an injury. My project investigates brain-penetrating polymer nanoparticles as a drug delivery strategy. I am engineering nanoparticles to encapsulate the antioxidant protein catalase as a potential treatment for newborn brain injury. My work aims to validate the nanoparticle delivery system by screening the dose-dependent therapeutic effect and studying mechanisms of effect in a living brain slice platform.

Research Mentor(s): Dr. Elizabeth Nance (UW Seattle Chemical Engineering)

How did you find your first research opportunity? I received a Canvas notification from the engineering undeclared advising page that included various undergraduate research openings in chemical engineering. I browsed through the project descriptions and applied to one that looked like a good fit for my interests.

Why do you do research? I learn best by applying new concepts to my areas of interest. Research allows me to make connections with course material and learn in a hands-on way. It helps me develop technical skills, network with people in my field, and prepare for my future engineering career.

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? I enjoy the problem-solving challenge of research. Reading through the literature, performing experiments, and continuously encountering new questions makes the research process engaging. When you are passionate about your project, it is easy to become engrossed.

Year: Senior
Email: srh38@uw.edu

Research Project Title: Using Computer Simulations to Assess the Evolution of Mobile Genes

Project Description: Many bacteria have small circular pieces of DNA called plasmids that exist outside of their main chromosome. Plasmids are a type of “mobile gene”, as bacteria can transfer copies of their plasmids to other, unrelated bacterial cells. This is notable because many plasmids encode antibiotic resistance genes, so when plasmids containing these genes transfer between bacteria, they are spreading antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations! I am using computer simulations to study how these plasmids evolve, and I am specifically interested in how plasmid evolution is affected by the transfer between different bacteria.

Research Mentor(s): Dr. Benjamin Kerr (UW Seattle Biology)

How did you find your first research opportunity? I found my research opportunity in a sort of unexpected way–I was serving as a peer facilitator for my PI, Ben Kerr, and I had made friends with several people in the lab. I had talked with them about my interest in research and that I was looking for labs, and one of them connected me with the postdoc of the lab (and my current mentor, Dr. Olivia Kosterlitz!) as she was looking for undergraduates to mentor.

Why do you do research? I do research because I love applying knowledge from and making connections across a broad range of fields. I’m interested in a lot of different fields, including but not limited to biology, math, computer science, english, and philosophy. My research allows me to draw from all of these fields, and making connections across all of these different disciplines helps me appreciate the world around me so much more!

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? My favorite thing about research is being able to engage with many people with many wonderful ideas! A big part of research is collaboration and communication, and getting to work with people to push projects forward or just exchange ideas about concepts we find interesting or worth exploring further is very fun for me.

Year: Senior
Email: ehuynh22@uw.edu

Research Project Titles: Proximity to Porcine, Closeness to Canine: Federal Animal Welfare Laws Examined

Project Description: Diving into the profound inconsistencies on how federal animal welfare laws in the United States treat domesticated animals versus industrialized animals, my study focuses on the legal distinctions between two species, dogs, representing domesticated animals and pigs, representing industrialized animals. The center of the comparative study aims to explore how the animals’ proximity to human life as companions or commodities impacts their legal categorization and how this affects the level of protection they receive under federal law. I analyze key aspects of animal welfare laws by researching laws that govern their living conditions, transportation and healthcare. My project involves a detailed overview of federal law, case law, and qualitative interviews with experts in animal law. With this research, I look to highlight the ethical and legal implications of disparities and similarities, open pathways for larger projects on aligning topics and ultimately propose policy reforms that challenge anthropocentric biases.

Research Mentor(s): María Elena García (UW Seattle Comparative History of Ideas)

How did you find your first research opportunity? For my first research opportunity, I was incredibly fortunate to have been referred to the UW Law and Violence Data Lab by a TA to the leading professor. Initially, the lab started as a course where we learned about methodology, coding and research structure. After the first quarter course, I was invited back to continue working on the research as an RA for another term. By working on over 1,500 cases as part of a larger project focused on the use of violence against journalists in Russia, I had the opportunity to shape my research skills and deepen my understanding of the complexities of data analysis. Evaluating various methods of data collection, such as using government and non-governmental reports, archives, interviews, and spatial data, I worked with the most incredible team and mentor who inspired me to pursue more avenues of research.

Why do you do research? Academically, I’ve been giving the opportunity to draw complex questions surrounding legal and ethical issues. Through research, I’ve been able to explore these questions with an interdisciplinary approach while learning from experts in varying fields. Additionally, as a researcher I’ve had the privilege of working on incredible teams of people who share the same curiosities and passions as myself. From these experiences, my academic career has truly been enriched with a unique skillset that I couldn’t acquire anywhere else. Moreover, on a personal level, research has enabled me to understand certain sectors of the world and my place within it. My research journey has taught me the significance of navigating and challenging structures of power, listening to, and engaging deeply with those who are willing to share, and constantly rethinking preconceived notions. Academic research is not separate from our lived experience, it is an extension of it.

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? There is a deep joy for myself, as I am sure it is for many, in learning from and collaborating with others. Engaging in research is a direct way to gain this experience. Throughout my years here at UW, there is no other activity that has allowed me to interact and learn from so many different perspectives, disciplines and lived experiences. It is like seeing the world through different lenses; every perspective proposes its own set of insights, questions and challenges that have pushed me academically and personally. The research that I get to engage with then not only becomes an intellectual pursuit, but a deeply relational one where I get to grow and learn with my teams, constantly pushing the boundaries together.

Year: Junior
Email: sheakim2@uw.edu

Research Project Title: Analyzing Anti-SARS-CoV2 Antibodies That Inhibit Antibody-Mediated Entry Through the Spike Protein

Project Description: Certain anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been observed to mediate entry of the virus through the spike protein into immune cells, a phenomenon coined antibody-mediated entry (AME). While viral particles do not replicate in immune cells, it has been linked to a highly inflammatory response that make patients very ill. However, we have also observed that non-AME antibodies can stop AME from happening. My research aims to analyze through which mechanisms non-AME antibodies are the most effective in stopping AME.

Research Mentor(s): Dr. Wendy Thomas (UW Seattle Bioengineering)

How did you find your first research opportunity? Cold emailing professors and scouring the research opportunity board.

Why do you do research? I first joined research simply because I wanted to try it and see if I’d want to do it in my future. I continue research because it has been, and continues to be a great learning experience for me- learning new skills, trying new things, and meeting new people!

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? Learning new skills that I never imagined myself being able to do before, and also seeing my hard work pay off in cold data!

Year: Sophomore
Email: lorenzoo@uw.edu

Research Project Title: Duwamish Valley Research Coordination Network – University of Washington

Project Description: I work alongside multiple PIs, grad students, and undergrads to take water, soil, and sediment samples to identify and quantify the levels of harmful contaminants in the Duwamish River. I also take part in remote work, mapping out our sample sites and potential sites via GIS and organizing and translating data for presentations.

Research Mentor(s): Melanie Malone (UW Bothell School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences), Brittany Johnson (UW Seattle College of the Environment), & Catherine De Almeida (UW Seattle College of Built Environments)

How did you find your first research opportunity? Through direct communication from my professor.

Why do you do research? I research to expand my knowledge in various areas of interest while aiming to make myself as hirable as possible for my future post-education career. I enjoy research because nothing is more interesting to me than discovering something new or bringing new findings to the STEM world that have the potential to impact many people.

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? So far, my favorite part of my research has been diving deep into a portion of the environmental sciences I was unfamiliar with. Expanding my horizons has allowed me to explore other careers I may not have considered.

Year: Senior
Email: sanaa29@uw.edu

Research Project Title: Navigating Normalcy: Benchmarking and Context for Pediatric Kidney Transplants

Project Description: My current research focuses on understanding the experiences of kidney transplant patients and their caregivers. We’re looking at their post-transplant journey, including the challenges of managing medications and getting back to everyday life. The goal is to create personalized health visuals that help them better understand their situation and make informed decisions. By considering both patients’ and caregivers’ needs, we aim to help them overcome challenges and improve their health outcomes.

Research Mentor(s): Ari Pollack, MD, MSIM (Seattle Children’s Hospital)

How did you find your first research opportunity? I found this research opportunity through a Health Informatics class I took (INFO 478) for my Biomedical and Health Informatics focus area. My mentor was a guest speaker who introduced his research, and I emailed him after to show my interest in joining him and his team.

Year: Senior
Email: zhuoqwu@uw.edu

Research Project 1 Title & Description: Individual differences in mental rotation ability during infancy
Previous research suggests that spatial development begins in infancy, with sex differences emerging early. This project examines the impact of spatial language and play style on infants’ spatial development. We replicate a violation-of-expectation task for infants, using an eye-tracker to record the looking time as an indicator of recognizing an unexpected stimulus. This allows us to assess individual differences in mental rotation ability. We also observe a brief play session between parents and infants to analyze their interactions with a spatial toy and the spatial language used during play.

Research Project 1 Mentor(s): Ariel Starr (UW Seattle Psychology) & Carol Lu (UW Seattle Psychology)

Research Project 2 Title & Description: Exploring the role of muscle groups in octopus arm behavior through modeling and simulation
This project investigates the architecture of muscle fibers in the octopus arm that generates its wide range of behavioral capabilities. We are interested in understanding the roles of each muscle group in producing each motion of the octopus arm. In order to do that, we will model and simulate the interaction of these muscle groups to replicate the octopus arm’s movements using simulation tools such as Python Library, Blender, and Unity.

Research Project 2 Mentor(s): David Gire (UW Seattle Psychology) & Dominic Sivitilli (UW Seattle Psychology)

How did you find your first research opportunity? I found my first research opportunity after attending the Undergraduate Research Symposium in Spring 2023. One of the talks, presented by the lab I am now working with, was particularly inspiring. Therefore, I made a note of the lab’s name and later visited their website. Fortunately, the site had the contact information for students who are interested in joining the team. I decided to send an email inquiring about any available research opportunities. Although there weren’t immediate openings, the lab manager kept my information on file. A few months later, I received an email with details about an upcoming hiring opportunity. I applied, went through an interview process, and I got my first research opportunity.

Why do you do research? I do research to deepen my understanding of different topics I’m interested in and to develop skills that can support my academic and professional growth. It allows me to exchange ideas with other researchers and helps me refine my focus within a specific area. Additionally, it offers opportunities for collaboration, critical thinking, and personal development. These opportunities help me prepare for future career opportunities and advanced studies.

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? My favorite thing about engaging in research is the interaction of different thoughts and perspectives. I love how research brings diverse ideas together, challenging my assumptions and pushing me to think further. The process of asking and answering questions, or simply listening to others’ inquiries, sparks insightful thinking. This collaborative exchange of ideas fuels my curiosity and excites me, making the entire research process dynamic and intellectually stimulating.

Year: Senior
Email: taramyou@uw.edu

Research Project Title: A DNA Binding Protein Interacts with Type II Topoisomerases to Promote DNA Replication

Project Description: For all living organisms to survive, they must be able to replicate their DNA quickly and smoothly. However, DNA replication must proceed in the complicated context of winding and compaction to fit all of an organism’s DNA inside a cell. One key event in replication is unwinding this compacted DNA and resolving knots that form. You can think of our DNA as the earbuds that get tangled in your pocket: if you were to pull on each earbud, you would push a knot further down and get stuck, unable to separate them. Like our earbuds, pulling apart DNA induces strands to wrap around themselves, forming knots called “supercoils”. However, our cells have molecular scissors called topoisomerases that cut these supercoils and glue the DNA back together in a flat state that is easy to replicate. I study how topoisomerases find the supercoils that they relax. This is a promising area of research because quickly replicating cells, like bacteria and cancer, can be effectively treated with topoisomerase inhibitors. By revealing how these essential enzymes work on a molecular level, my research may inform the development of more precise inhibitors to treat disease.

Research Mentor(s): Dr. Monica Guo (UW Seattle Microbiology)

How did you find your first research opportunity? In my senior year of high school, I had an interest in research and wanted to learn what I could do to become involved. Through attending an Office of Undergraduate Research information session held by an Undergraduate Research Leader, I learned tips to use when reaching out to professors, such as reading their published works and developing questions to ask in interviews. I relied on these to gain my role as a research assistant at the Guo Lab of Microbiology shortly after graduating from high school in July of 2021. I have been researching in the Guo lab ever since where I get to direct my research on the question that intrigued me most when reading the recent papers of my mentor before interviewing!

Why do you do research? Now entering my fourth year of research, I am still motivated by a desire to understand how biological processes unfold, and how we can use discoveries to improve people’s lives, such as by developing a new therapy. This direction ultimately motivates my interest in translational research, the process of bringing novel scientific findings to the clinic to actualize their impact in helping patients. To pursue translational bioscience research, I plan to attend an MD/PhD program after graduating.

What is your favorite thing about engaging in research? My favorite part of engaging in research is the opportunity to work on unsolved problems. My research project feels like a story that I unravel with each iterative experiment, getting closer and closer to understanding how the process I study works. The feeling of discovering something that no one else knows yet—no matter how small the discovery—is exhilarating!