STEPHANY LEVY

ABOUT THE RESEARCHER:

1. Who are you doing research with this summer and what kind of research project are you doing?

I’m doing research with Dr. Dmello in the pharmaceutical sciences department. The project I am researching is the use of a surfactant to decrease protein leakage of microcapsules that the lab has manufactured to help treat the disease Phenylketonuria. 

 2. What do you find fascinating in the research you’re doing?

I find it fascinating how the research that I am doing will someday help those who suffer from Phenylketonuria. It is exciting and very rewarding that the research that I have conducted could be used in the real world.

 3. What skills are you learning through the USURF experience?

I have learned invaluable skills including encapsulation efficiency studies, leakage studies, lowry assay and the use of various machines in the lab. I have also learned how to problem solve issues the lab faces and create protocols.

 4. What are the challenges you’re encountering in your research?

The challenges that I have encountered so far, is that you won’t always get the results that you want. Before doing an experiment, I have the expectation that my data will come out a certain way. This summer has taught me that it’s okay and to not get disappointed when the experiment results don’t come out as expected.

 5. How is your USURF experience impacting the way you view your field?

The USURF experience has opened my eyes to all the different types of research that I can do within my field. USURF also has given me more confidence in the lab and reassured my interest for research.

 6. Tell us something interesting about yourself.

 One of my favorite hobbies is to draw and paint.