Peer Journeys

Just like how biology research takes many forms, the road to getting there can also take many forms! Some of your peers have joined research, and they have documented their journeys below.

"I initially began research because I realized it was an opportunity to delve into a specific area of science I was particularly interested in. For most of my high school years, I had taken neuroscience/psychology for most of my electives so I knew I wanted to learn more in this area. After figuring this out, I looked into WashU's Med School researcher profiles where I found my P.I. and other researchers. After several emails and waiting, I was able to find a spot in the lab that I am still currently in. I've learned several wet lab techniques, experimental problem-solving skills, and importantly a greater understanding of glioblastomas and their nature."

-Yoon Shin

"I initially became involved in research through taking an Independent Research class during my sophomore year of high school and haven't stopped since then. I had the opportunity to intern at the NIH this summer, where I worked in a lab dedicated to researching helicases and genomic integrity. I truly loved learning about the effects of DNA damage on biological pathways and wanted to continue this kind of research at WashU. Fortunately, I was able to find a great match within the Department of Pathology and Immunology at the medical campus. The lab I work at now focuses on ubiquitin-dependent signaling and connects two of my primary interests: genomic integrity and cancer therapy. I've learned new techniques such as tissue culture, immunofluorescence, and am starting to get involved in the CRISPR-Cas9 screening process. I'm looking forward to what the future holds!"

-Julia Trost

"I began my research journey to obtain more hands on, real-world experiences related to the fields I was interested in in college (mainly cell biology and neurobiology). I’ve always been fascinated by the vast number of experiments that happen at WUSTL medical school and sought out to join a lab related to my interests. To get started, I surfed through the WashU Medical School Research Mentor website and read through countless lab websites to narrow down those that I was interested in. After that, I began emailing PIs, expressing interest in their fields of work and relating their research to my own educational goals. I ended up joining a lab that studies endogenous opioids in both neurological and metabolic circuits, a topic that I was really interested in. While this sounds cliché, everyday has really been a learning experience in the lab. From new bioassays to understanding G-protein coupled receptors better, I have come to understand the research and goals of the lab even further when I first joined. It may seem like a daunting journey, but there lots of labs out there for you – it might just take a burst of confidence and a short email!"

-Andy Huang