What year did you participate in the BP-ENDURE Program at Brown?
I participated in the BP-ENDURE program at Brown during the summer of 2017.
What research project and laboratory did you work in?
I worked in Dr. Anne C. Hart’s laboratory at Brown University, where I conducted research using C. elegans to model fused in sarcoma (FUS) mutations in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to examine which genes act downstream of FUS and provide better insight into ALS pathways. My project was backcrossing DJ-1, a gene important for cell protection against oxidative stress. We were interested in looking at this gene, because FUS ALS mutants show oxidative damage, indicating that these two genes may act within the same pathway. In Dr. Hart’s lab, I used C. elegans to model FUS mutations in ALS allowing us to determine if DJ1 acts downstream of FUS in a pathway by promoting neurodegenerative effects. Thus, this research could provide insight into ALS pathways and a potential therapeutic target.
Where are you from?
I was born in Guangzhou, China. I came to New York City in 2000 when I was just four.
Why did you decide to pursue research in brain science?
I come from a cultural background where there is a lack of knowledge and accessibility to neuroscience and this often led to stigmas against individuals who were mentally ill or who have neurological disorders. This experience definitely led to my interest in neuroscience and how we can use research as a platform to inform and educate the public about science.
What is your most memorable experience from your training in brain science at Brown?
My most memorable experience at Brown was the professional development that the program provided and receiving advice from mentors in the program about pursuing a Ph.D. Additionally, working in Dr. Hart’s lab and being involved in my research project was completely different from any research experience I have had in the field.
What are you doing currently?
I am currently working in my undergraduate lab and waiting to hear back from the graduate schools I have applied for.
What are your future career plans?
I plan to investigate the effects of social and physical environment on molecular and genetic processes underlying our stress response. An important element of my future research is to educate communities on the impact of environmental deficits that can lead to adverse early life experiences of stress. Often, significant research is disconnected from the public because terminology in the research community is often exclusive to the field. It is necessary to connect scientific inquiry and research outcomes with communities affected; therefore, scientists can remain educated by these communities to generate translational and societal impact. I hope to increase community outreach of scientists through professional affiliation in school programs and non-profit organizations.
What is your favorite activity outside of the lab?
My favorite activities outside of the lab are reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.