Past Eureka! Scholars

• Lauren Apostol

  Biochemistry & Chemistry

• Maya Ambroziak

  General Biology

• Joseph Tsai

  Molecular & Cell Biology

• Narinderbir Singh

  Biology

• Maria Tiu

  Human Biology

• Neil Shende

  Biochemistry & Cell Biology

• Lindsay Wong

  Molecular Biology

• Peter Pham

  Biochemistry & Chemistry

• Jin-Yi Wu

  General Biology

• Jaideep Chakladar

  Biochemistry & Cell Biology

• Kevin William Mazo

  Neurobiology

• Dominique Lie

  Molecular & Cell Biology

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  Kelsey Baron

  Investigation into the Role of Circular RMST in the Regulation of Neurogenesis and Neural Development Using Neural Stem Cells and Neurons derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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  Jaime Benavides

  Shifting nectar sweetness preferences: testing the effect of a new pesticide on honey bee sugar response thresholds

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  Joseph Haquang

  The Study of a Potential Therapy for Friedreich’s Ataxia Using HSC Bone Marrow Transplantation

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  Jenny Huang

  Rate of change in bone mineral density and intervertebral disc height resulting from a low gravity environment

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  Neehar Kondapaneni

  Towards Understanding the Mechanism of Increased Speed of Propagation over Multiple Cortices after Motor Learning

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  Avinaash Korrapati

  Electronic cigarette induces methylation in oral epithelium

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  Jenny Lee

  The Role of Cyclic di-AMP in Synechococcus Elongatus

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  Jake Leung

  Role of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the autoimmune basis of neuropathic pain

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  Katherine Ly

  Investigating the role of circadian rhythms in tumorigenesis and cancer treatment

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  Rachan Narala

  Thrombin Regulation of Leukocyte Migration by c-Src and p38 Kinases

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  Danielle Vi Nghiem

  How Nosema Infection Develops in Honey bee Larvae

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  Daniel Nguyen

  The role of SNAP29 in human sudden death syndromes

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  Christine Peters

  A Novel Approach for Identifying Molecules with Activity against New Targets in Bacteria

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  Hannah Rosenblatt

  Examining the Impact of Membrane Transporter Activity on Primordial Germ Cell Protection and Formation in Sea Urchin Embryos

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  Andrey Rubanov

  Immune Priming of Adult Apis mellifera against Nosema ceranae

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  Emily Schmidt

  Algae-based Vaccine Design for Zika Virus

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  Katherine Tian

  Effects of Corticosterone on Ovarian Cyclicity in the Absence of Glucocorticoid Receptors in Kisspeptin Neurons

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  Clara Toma

  Investigating the Role of BRD4 in Regulating CD8 T Cell Exhaustion

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  Stephanie Wong

  Identification of Innate Immune Modulators of Arthritis Pain in a Mouse Model

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  Christopher Douglas

  When Christopher Douglas wasn’t working on his neuroscience research project, he spent his time in the various seminars and events he was given access to as a Eureka! Scholar. He believes that his summer with the program provided him with valuable guidance for his professional career development. “This experience will provide the competitive edge I need to get into and prevail in graduate school,” he said. “I will also carry with me the support and friendship of my mentors and fellow colleagues which have been invaluable.”

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  Alan Du

  Thanks to the Eureka! scholarship, Alan Du was able to fully invest in his research this past summer. Like many other Eureka! scholars, Du’s experience with the Eureka! Scholars Program has only made him more committed to his future goal of attending graduate school. Additionally, the program made Du more confident in his own abilities. “It means a lot to me that friends and alumni of UC San Diego believe that I can contribute to society through my research, and are willing to support me as I go through an early phase of my research career,” Du said.

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  Michael Hayes

  Michael Hayes spent his summer researching molecular biology, an experience that solidified his plans to eventually study biology in graduate school. Hayes is grateful that the Eureka! Scholars program gave him a chance to do what he loves without distraction. “As a student, it is often difficult to make time to focus on being in the lab, since a student’s main priority must be doing well in classes,” he said. “So, the focus afforded me by this scholarship was greatly appreciated.”

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  Jessica Huang

  Not only did the Eureka scholarship lift financial burdens for Jessica Huang, but also allowed her to analyze more scientific data and learn more lab techniques, as well as improve on the techniques she already knew. In addition to these skills, Huang’s Eureka! summer experience showed her the importance of perseverance. She said: “Upon experiment failure, a graduate student I was working with showed me that there are other routes to take, and that I should continue to learn instead of giving up.” This year, Huang plans on applying to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in biology, a decision that was solidified by the Eureka! Scholars Program.

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  Soumya Kurnool

  Soumya Kurnool’s opportunity with the Eureka! Scholars program gave him hands-on experience conducting biology research in a lab on weekdays and interning at a student-run free clinic in Tijuana during the weekends. He considers this a valuable stepping stone in determining his plans for graduate school and beyond. “The Eureka! Scholarship has opened my eyes to the realities of research,” he said. “I think that it will definitely guide my choice of what graduate studies to pursue in the future. Professionally, it has inspired me to keep going down this path to continue researching.”

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  Brian Lien

  This past summer, Brian Lien was able to advance his research on the optic nerve with the help of the Eureka! scholarship. In addition, the scholarship allowed Lien to read more relevant scientific literature, attend a biweekly journal club on neuronal regeneration and design and implement his own experiments. Lien plans to pursue an M.D. and a Ph.D., with an ultimate career goal of alleviating human suffering by finding advanced treatments to diseases and disorders. He said: “I would not be where I am today without the generous support of people who were willing to donate their time and financial resources for my educational and career development. I hope that in the future, I can do the same.”

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  Dallas Mindo-Panusis

  Over the summer, Dallas Mindo-Panusis researched the interaction of viruses and genes. He believes that the Eureka! Scholars program helped him realize his desire to conduct multidisciplinary research. He plans to attend medical school and pursue a dual M.D.-Ph.D. and credits Eureka! for fueling his love for scientific research. “Over the summer, I became intimately involved with the scientific process — its components, its shortfalls and its potential,” he said. “It resonated with my own intention to personally contribute to the improvement of the human condition. In essence, I found out that I am a researcher.”

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  Stephanie Myers

  While Myers has always enjoyed working in laboratory environment, she credits the Eureka! scholarship for reinforcing her love of research “again and again.” She said, “This scholarship gave me an intense feeling of validation and accomplishment, and I hope to build on this support as I strive to make my future productive, personally rewarding and also rewarding for my community.” Myers plans for the future are unset, but she hopes it will involve some time working in a research environment.

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  Alexander Nguyen

  “This summer definitely was a worthwhile learning experience as a student and as a scientist,” says Alexander Nguyen, who received a scholarship through the Eureka! Scholars Program. Nguyen’s Eureka! summer experience showed him the importance of research in evolving medicine, through the discovery of medicine or through the creation of more effective treatments and procedures. In the future, Nguyen plans to become a physician while continuing to pursue research throughout his career. “As a UC San Diego student, I’m proud that friends and alumni are interested in supporting students’ endeavors.”

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  Pouya Parsa

  Pouya Parsa felt that his time with the Eureka! Scholars program was a fantastic experience that allowed him to put the knowledge he learned in class to actual practice. He worked in the lab fulltime over the summer, using antibodies in his study of the hippocampus. Parsa plans to go to dental school, where he hopes to do more research. “Eureka! Scholars made me a more hard-working person, since we had to complete a project in a short amount of time,” he said. “I believe that the most valuable takeaway was the skills that I learned this summer, which are going to be applicable in my future career.”

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  Kelsey Roman

  Kelsey Roman studied the biology of the Arabidopsis thaliana, a flowering plant native to Eurasia, with the Eureka! Scholars program. “My experience this summer has helped me appreciate the patience and careful planning required to complete a long-term research project,” she said. “Not all aspects of research are exciting and profound, but nothing compares to the moment when a discovery is made that generates new ideas and possibilities for future work.” Roman plans to pursue a graduate degree in chemistry.

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  Christopher Song

  Christopher Song researched the development of pituitary gonadotropic cells with the Eureka! Scholars program. He plans to go to medical school in the future, with a special interest on research due to his newfound appreciation for academia. “This program gave me an incredible opportunity to see how incredible it is to be immersed in meaningful research on a more independent scale,” Song said. “My experience with the Eureka! Scholarship has allowed me to get an impressive view of the research world and has opened my eyes to perhaps going to a more research-oriented medical program.”

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  Christiana Stark

  As a Eureka! Scholar, Christiana Stark uncovered new information to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the human brain. She gave weekly reports and mini-presentations on her work and contributed to the research of her fellow lab members. Stark is currently applying to medical school to become a doctor. “All my experiences in research have solidified my desire to not only become a doctor, but also to advance the field of medicine to help patients,” she said.

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  Boris Stepanyuk

  While researching molecular biology in the Eureka! Scholar program, Boris Stepanyuk met a mentor figure who guided him toward his dream of a medical or doctoral degree. Stepanyuk, a commuter from Temecula, was grateful that the program provided him with the means to live in La Jolla over the summer without having to worry about travel time or financial expense. “This experience made me feel fully immersed in doing what I am passionate about,” he said. “I was more focused and was finally able to dedicate all of my time to my passion. Time is a scare resource that is often overlooked, and the Eureka! Scholarship provided it to me.”

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  Dasha Weeks

  As a Eureka! Scholar, Dasha Weeks investigated how an aging fly’s heart reacts to an E. coli infection. She plans to continue working in a biomedical research lab for a few years before pursuing a master’s degree or a Ph.D. “The Eureka! Scholarship gave me a feel for working in the lab full time and was a good preview of my future career,” she said. “Being able to complete my entire project during this summer showed me that I am workforce ready. Everything I learned in the lab this summer will help me to get a job in the biomedical field upon graduation.”

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  Chun Lai Yu

  During his time with Eureka! Scholars, Chun Lai Yu was able to learn practical laboratory techniques such as cell culturing and flow cytometry. He feels that his summer with the program gave him the much-needed confidence and focus to study biomedical engineering or a similar subject in graduate school. “The Eureka! Scholarship provided me with a chance to prove my value and worth,” he said. “I will continue working hard in this field and tell myself to not give up easily.”

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  Michelle Flores

  As a Eureka! scholar, Michelle Flores was able to immerse herself in the world of research over the summer. In the future, Flores looks forward to pursuing a career in medicine as a doctor, while implementing elements of research into her practice. “The Eureka! Summer research scholarship has offered me a once in a lifetime experience,” said Flores. “I was unsure if I would stay with the lab throughout the rest of my time at UC San Diego, but this summer experience has solidified that there is nowhere else I’d rather be.”

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  Julia Guo

  Not only did the Eureka! Scholars program strengthen Julia Guo’s desires to study medicine and work with children, but it allowed her to pursue her interest in researching gestational diabetes. “The Eureka! Scholarship not only made my valuable research experiences possible, but it definitely also taught me the importance of giving,” said Julia. She appreciates the generosity of UC San Diego alumni and friends for making a difference in her academic career and life.

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  Michael Hayes

  “The Eureka! scholarship has given me the opportunity to engage in my own research project,” said Michael Hayes, who plans to go to graduate school to earn his Ph.D. after two more years at UC San Diego. His experience with research over the summer has opened doors for him as a developing scientist. With the knowledge he has obtained so far, Hayes feels immense gratitude to those who help fund his endeavors and fuel his passion. He hopes to one day provide for other students in similar ways.

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  Chase James

  Chase James was granted the opportunity to experience working full time in a lab over the summer, thanks to the Eureka! scholarship. Currently a BS/MS student, he hopes to continue his studies after receiving his masters from UC San Diego. “This was extremely valuable to me because it gave me a glimpse of what a future career in academics or working full time in a lab may feel like,” said James. &8220;It was a rewarding opportunity and made me feel accomplished.” James hopes to publish his research within the next year.

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  Nikita Kadakia

  This past summer, Nikita Kadakia was given the opportunity to work on her independent research project through the aid of the Eureka! Scholars program. Besides gaining interpersonal and networking skills, she gained a clearer vision of her future. With strong determination, Kadakia has plans of pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. program after graduation. “I truly value this opportunity. Getting that extra financial support to be able to conduct research over summer means a lot,” said Kadakia.

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  Jonjei Ku

  Thanks to a Eureka! Scholarship, Human Biology major Jonjei Ku, was able to study over the summer in a stem cell lab focused on head and neck cancer. “The Eureka! Scholarship provided me with a research experience that has opened my eyes to a life calling in scientific research,” Ku said, who hopes to earn an MD/Ph.D degree in medical oncology. He credits the Eureka! Scholars program for the opportunity to submit his research at the 2014 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting and the 2015 International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meeting. “The Eureka! Scholarships empower students with important experiences,” Ku said. “In the future, I look forward to paying it forward by supporting the next generation of undergraduate researchers at UC San Diego.”

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  Jacky Lu

  Jacky Lu participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Showcase as a Eureka! Scholar, marking a major milestone in his life—his first time presenting his scientific work on immunology in public. “In the future, the Eureka! experience will be a shining part of my college career,” said Lu. The opportunities he received over the summer reinforced his decision of pursuing graduate school in biology or biomedical sciences. “My Eureka! Scholarship will pave the way for my future research career, and I am extraordinarily glad for this unique opportunity to perform undergraduate research.”

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  Lisa Mai

  Lisa Mai’s experience through the Eureka! Scholars Program exposed her to another side of medicine and healthcare. Although Mai plans to do clinical work with medicine, she is thankful for the program’s exposure to research with medicine. “Without research and experiments, we would not be able to solve many of our health problems or find cures for deadly diseases that would have killed thousands in the past,” said Mai. Through learning the importance of research, Mai gained the valuable lessons of patience and perseverance. Mai hopes to become a physician assistant or physical therapist in the future.

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  Lilla Orr

  Lilla Orr is working toward building a research career studying health disparities across socioeconomic groups and different cultures. Her research experience over the summer helped guide her graduate school decisions, applying to Epidemiology and Biostatistics programs at the Masters level and Ph.D. programs in Political Methodology. “Without this summer research experience I never would have been able to build those connections and fall in love with this niche,” said Orr. “Eureka! summer research has allowed me the freedom to explore academic research and find my calling.”

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  Lior Schenk

  "As Eureka! Scholars, we are given the opportunity and support to fully experience science at its heart: the pure pursuit of discovery," said Lior Schenk, whose scholarship guided his research in neuronal plasticity and regeneration. Schenk is preparing to become a science educator, and hopes to implement his research experience in his classroom curriculum. "Participating in this program has been invaluable, not just for me but also for my future students. My understanding and appreciation for science is so much deeper now."

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  George Wang

  George Wang spent all summer in San Diego researching chronobiology with UC San Diego Professor Michael McCarthy. His summer research experience taught him valuable lessons on scientific concepts and theories, and ultimately lessons of patience, perseverance and dedication. Wang plans to apply to medical schools after obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Human Biology. “It means a lot that such caring and philanthropic individuals would support students like me to do something I enjoy so much,” said Wang.

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  Mitchell Zhao

  “My experience this summer helped me reaffirm how much I enjoy research,” said Mitchell Zhao. As a Eureka! scholar, Zhao’s summer experience solidified his future visions. He plans to pursue both an medical degree and a Ph.D. after completing his undergraduate studies. The generosity of donors has inspired Zhao and he hopes that in the future, he can offer the same to future students. “It makes me feel lucky to be on a campus where the people around me are so willing to support students.”

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  Julianne Davis

  As a Eureka Scholar, Julianne Davis spent her summer conducting research full-time and honing her analytical skills. Gaining confidence in her decision to move forward, Davis plans to obtain a Ph.D. in neuroscience. “This has been such a fun, educational and productive summer. I cannot emphasize enough how beneficial this experience has been to me as a person and for my future as a scientist,” said Davis. Feeling better prepared for graduate school, Davis hopes to sustain her relationships with mentors who helped to broaden her knowledge of laboratory research.

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  Mili Nevani

  Working to better understand pancreatic stem cells to contribute to therapies for diabetes, Mili Navani spent three months in a laboratory learning about molecular biology techniques. “The Eureka Scholars Program has greatly enhanced my undergraduate experience and reinforced my career goals,” said Navani, who would like to pursue a career in academic medicine. “I am very grateful to the UC San Diego community for their financial support and hope to return their investment through my work.”

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  Anne Phan

  As a Eureka Scholar, Ann Phan was able to conduct full-time research in a neuroscience lab, advance her own independent experiments and discover real-world connections between her classwork and lab work. Interested in pediatrics, she grew professionally and personally, learning that passion and perseverance are necessary to succeed. Phan is grateful for the support she received to participate in the program. “Knowing that I am backed by a network of people who care about UC San Diego students motivates me to work harder to achieve success.”

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  Jason Royal

  Jason Royal spent the entire summer dedicated to his research project and gained the patience and professional skills that will help him succeed in his research and other long-term goals. “It was refreshing to be able to give my full attention to my research; I feel like I was able to accomplish a lot,” said Royal. Interested in a career that bridges research and medicine, Royal hopes to enter a MD/Ph.D program in the future. Grateful for the support of the Eureka Scholars Program, he hopes to be able to give back to students in a similar way.

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  Maarouf A. Saad

  Maarouf A. Saad spent the summer investigating head and neck cancer, an experience that influenced his decision to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. program and a career as a physician-scientist. “The Eureka Scholars Program had a profound impact on my life,” said Saad. “I was able to continue working in my lab over the summer and complete a project that has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine and cancer research.” Saad hopes to one day be able to give back to allow other students the same opportunities he was afforded as an undergraduate researcher.

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  Leon Tejwani

  As Leon Tejwani transitioned from an undergraduate student to a graduate researcher over the summer, the Eureka Scholars program enabled Tejwani to live on campus and devote all of his time to research. He learned about the importance of collaboration and strengthened his resolve to pursue an MD/Ph.D. program in academic medicine. Grateful for the extra support, receiving the scholarship greatly inspired Tejwani. “The generosity of the donors and their devotion to the field of science has inspired me to want to be an active participant and leader in the field in the future,” said Tejwani.

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  James Wang

  From writing an application proposal to working with a variety of experts in a laboratory, James Wang gained self-confidence and learned to be more proactive in achieving his goals through the Eureka Scholars Program. “This scholarship award felt like an endorsement by the school—that I am a valuable member of the UC San Diego community,” said Wang, who would like to pursue a career in medicine. “Furthermore, the experience enabled me to take ownership of a project. I felt that I was working on something that has potential real world applications,” said Wang.

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  Cristiane Palaretti Bernardo

  Not only did Christiane study in a laboratory, but she was able to go abroad to Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea, where she gained first-hand knowledge of the ecology of the coral reef and the people who depend upon the fish in the region. Her goal is to pursue a doctoral degree and become a marine biology professor. “This program strengthened my desire to pursue higher education to help people from less fortunate areas to live in a more sustainable way and preserve the health of coral reefs,” said Christiane.

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  Brian Chow

  Over the summer, Brian studied the mechanoreceptors in the eyes of mice to investigate potential causes of glaucoma. His goal is to train as a physician scientist in the field of biomedical neuroscience with a focus on CNS repair and regeneration. The Eureka! Scholarship program enabled him to gain confidence in his future as a scientist. “I realized that academic research in biomedical sciences has great value to advancing human health,” said Brian.

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  Melissa Hang

  The Eureka! Scholars program enabled Melissa to visualize and apply what she has learned in the classroom. The opportunity to study cutting-edge science challenged her to think more critically and gain discipline, which will help her as she works to become a physician. “Doing research has helped me to develop and grow not only intellectually, but also personally,” said Melissa. “This experience has taught me valuable skills that I can take with me in my future career path.”

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  Harriet Hu

  Harriet spent nine weeks with a host mentor at the Clayton School of Information at Monash University in Australia studying computer science applications in image analysis. She experienced for the first time managing her own research project, reinforcing her goals of earning a master’s degree. Impressed by the possibilities of cross-collaboration between departments and universities around the globe, Harriet said, “This research experience was one of the defining points of my UC San Diego undergraduate career,” said Harriet.

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  Vicky Hwang

  Vicky spent the summer in Osaka, Japan, where she worked with a team and utilized a supercomputer. The experience helped her develop research and communication skills, along with the ability to work as a team. “This experience taught me to be more observant, independent, organized and resourceful—all skills that hold enormous value both in my personal life as well as future research projects,” said Vicky, who would like to become a physician.

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  Jenny Jia Xin Liang

  Jenny spent two months studying at the Universiti Sains Malaysia where she participated in an international research project regarding Chagas disease. During this time she gained insight into the pharmacy field and the role of natural products in the future of medicine. “This experience has influenced me to explore careers outside of the U.S. and build a network with researchers abroad,” said Jenny, who plans to pursue a joint Pharm D./MPH degree.

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  Aaron Louie

  “Eureka! has reinforced my drive to continue science as a life-long project, in which I hope will lead to more ‘eureka’s,’” said Aaron, who conducted research on pathogens that contribute to HIV and AIDS. Aaron would like to bridge research and medicine in his future career and plans on pursuing a joint M.D./Ph.D. degree. His ultimate goal is to teach at a biomedical research institution and educate students about infectious disease and global health.

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  Anelah McGinness

  Anelah got a head start on her senior project and obtained training that she might not have had time for during the regular school year. She would like to pursue a master’s degree and afterwards attend medical school. The experience has also inspired Anelah to give back: “I hope that I will be able to reach a place in the future where I can also give back and support students just as I have been supported by this award.”

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  Tricia Ngo

  Being able to translate ideas learned in the classroom into real-world applications was an invaluable experience for Tricia. Through this program she discovered how to present her work and gained critical thinking skills. She is grateful for the support of UC San Diego and the opportunity to spend more time in a laboratory. “The ability to give someone the chance to become a better student and person, I believe, is one of the best gifts one can bestow to another,” said Tricia.

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  Allison Quach

  Allison took part in diabetes research where she gained valuable laboratory experience and fostered relationships with mentors, leading professors and other students. She was able to attend conferences, lectures and presentations that strengthened her desire to pursue a career in biomedical research. “I have a deeper understanding of what it takes to be scientist, but more importantly, what it means to contribute to a higher cause,” said Allison.

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  Kristen Richardson

  Kristen explored plant ecology at the California’s White Mountain Research Station where she learned about how a warming climate can affect a community structure in high-altitude ecosystems. Her goal is to attend graduate school for conservation biology. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to venture into the world of research, and I found the experience incredibly positive,” said Kristen. “Not only will I be more competitive for graduate school, I will be more prepared emotionally and academically.”

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  J. Bradley Segal

  After spending the summer in a laboratory, Bradley was hooked on research. He studied glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness. His experience in the lab led to his decision to apply for an M.D./Ph.D. program with plans for a career in academic medicine. “This program steered me towards applying to the dual degree programs,” said Bradley. “Without my research experience this summer, I would not be taking this career path.”

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  Eric Yang

  The Eureka! Scholarship program enabled Eric to learn problem-solving skills and how scientific research can be utilized to benefit a wide range of people. The experience allowed him to completely focus on accomplishing his research goals without having to worry about financial constraints. “I am very thankful that there are kind-hearted people who care about providing opportunities like this for students like me,” said Eric, who would like to become a doctor and continue with medical research.

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  Olivia Yang

  Conducting biochemistry research for the first time, Olivia gained a better understanding of both the difficulties and possibilities of her field of interest. With a plan to obtain a Ph.D. degree and continue in academic research, Olivia enjoyed working with professors, international students and other mentors over the summer. “This experience allowed me to better understand my educational interests and future goals,” said Olivia. “I know more about what I want to do in the future and the kind of research I want to be involved in.”

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  Howard Li

  Howard was able to conduct research in Taipei, Taiwan, at the Pharmacoinformatics Lab at National Taiwan University thanks to his Eureka! scholarship. He researched new methods of applying molecular modeling techniques to discover potential drugs against avian flu in the lab of Jung-Hsin Lin, Ph.D. He plans to attend medical school and continue research in the biological and health sciences. "My summer research experience allowed me to work and interact with a diverse group of researchers while learning to live and conduct research independently," said Howard.

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  Nishant Munugala

  With the hopes of entering a graduate M.D./Ph.D. program in neurology, Nishant spent the summer conducting research through the Eureka! program. He appreciated being able to commit all of his time to an individual research project. “The program provided me with the ability to truly understand what life as a researcher entails, something that is difficult to do without a full-time commitment,” said Nishant.

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  Allan Ninh

  Allen studied recombinant DNA constructs and hopes to someday become a leading innovator in the medical field. He is grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Eureka! summer research program. “The summer scholarship allowed me to have an amazing research experience where I was able to learn hands on from my advisor and lab members,” said Allen.

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  Allison Quach

  Passionate about finding a cure for diabetes, Allison worked with Nigel Calcutt, Ph.D., to investigate a treatment for diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy). Upon graduation, Allison plans to continue her research and apply for medical school. “This scholarship has put me in contact with a world of academic choices, a spectrum of brilliant people and organizations, and most importantly, colorful real world experiences that can’t be learned in the classroom,” said Allison.

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  Elizabeth Seckel

  Elizabeth traveled to Haiti to help earthquake amputee victims relieve their phantom limb pain with the creation of an environmentally-friendly mirror box—a project that built upon a solution devised by V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., Ph.D., and director of the UC San Diego Center for Brain and Cognition. Her design utilized mirror paper and cardboard rather than a traditional glass mirror—a more cost-effective and sustainable solution that could be perpetuated by Haitian doctors. “I wanted to not only provide therapy for individuals, but also leave behind a wake of healing and rehabilitation for these amputee victims,” said Elizabeth.

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  Gregory Shimomura

  As a Eureka! scholar, Gregory considered his experience learning outside of the classroom to be rewarding and enjoyable. He would like to pursue a graduate degree in biology after he graduates from UC San Diego. “I am very grateful for the support provided by alumni and friends of the university. It gives me encouragement that they are willing to endorse my work in this way.”

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  Michael Tien

  Michael spent the summer researching the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms and their role in metabolic, psychological and sleep disorders. He plans on attending medical school with the goal of improving the lives of others. “This was the first time I had ever been recognized for my work in a lab,” said Michael. “I was able to focus on developing my skills as a young scientist without the distractions that come with financial need.”

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  Danielle Wang

  Danielle spent the summer studying the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its influence on DNA looping. She plans to attend medical school and in hopes of becoming a physician after graduation. Danielle found her experience to be very rewarding. “It gave me a chance to ask new questions in science, work through the implicit frustrations and challenges of research, realize the value of teamwork and experience the thrill of discovery.”

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  Ying Yiu

  Ying’s work studying parasitic roundworms reinforced his interest in continuing his scientific research and strengthened his problem-solving skills. He hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in the future. “I am delighted to know that alumni and friends of UC San Diego are interested in helping current undergraduates in gaining research experience,” said Ying. “It is through their generosity that I am able to do something I am truly excited about.”

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  Kim Chia '11

  Kim's worked in Dr. Steve Briggs' lab investigating the signal transduction pathways involved in plant defense response; this research could potentially find applications in the agricultural field through endeavors to fortify agriculturally important plants against diseases that threaten crop yield. She desires to stay at UCSD to complete a Master's degree, continue her research, and is also considering getting a Ph.D. or enrolling in pharmacy school."

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  Danielle Hagstrom '12

  Working at Dr. Suresh Subramani's lab, Danielle participated in research involving purifying the proteins of the peroxisome docking complex, which would aid in determining how to treat fatal human peroxisome biogenesis disorders like Zellweger's Syndrome. She plans on entering the Integrated BS/MS meeting in her 4th year by continuing her research with Dr. Subramani, earn her Ph.D., and eventually become a professor."

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  Brittany Jellison '11

  Brittany participated in deep-sea methane research in the Levin Lab at Scripps Institution of Oceanography which, as a fairly new area of study, will lead to the discovery of many new species and create a broader knowledge of the ecology and community structure of organisms. In the future Brittany plans to pursue her Ph.D. and combine her love of travel with a career in field research focused on deep-sea ecology and conservation."

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  Samuel Ng '11

  Samuel's research concerns the regulation of actin filament organization in dendritic spines, particularly addressing the protein MARCKS, which is highly involved in cell morphology. His future holds many possibilities as he is deciding whether to further his education in medical school or apply to graduate studies."

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  Christopher Kuo '11

  Christopher is a part of the fight against breast cancer with his research in Dr. Lesley Ellies' lab in which he hopes to find a more effective way of targeting breast cancer, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the disease, and further study the role of inflammatory mediators in mammory stromal cells. After his graduation from UCSD, he wants to attend medical school and eventually become an oncologist so that he may share the knowledge and skills he has gained from his research."

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  Allis Pham '10

  Allis's research involved heavy metal bioremediation which will lead to development of engineered plants that will clear heavy metal contaminated areas that are toxic to the environment. Allis plans on pursuing a Master's degree in Biology in the future and continuing a career in environmental research."

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  Yekaterina Tarasova

  The Eureka! Scholarship has made a great impact on my education. Receiving this scholarship has lessened the burden of my student loans and has allowed for me to continue working in the laboratory, which I thoroughly enjoy. After graduation, I will begin my pursuit of a Ph.D. in Microbiology. One day, I hope to give back and provide someone with an opportunity as meaningful as this one has been. "

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  Theresa Wong '12

  Working at Dr. Jim Wilhelm's lab, Theresa's research entailed the study of components in the enzymatic pathways of yeast that self-assemble in the cytoplasm which will further expand the field of cell biology research. In the future, Theresa wants to attend the UCSD School of Medicine to become a doctor who will provide services for those who lack access to proper medical care."

For the 2009 summer season, we received more than 80 qualified applications and selected the following 10 Eureka! Scholars.

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  Garo Akmakjian

  Garo worked in Dr. Julian Schroeder's lab studying how plants transport heavy metals, which is important in a plant's proper growth and development. He is interested in further studying how plants cope with stress and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the subject."

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  Joseph Antonios

  Joseph's main focus in research was to gain a better understanding into the neural connectivity of the hippocampus, which may lead to new solutions for problems like spatial learning, epilepsy, and depression. His future plans include attending medical school so that he may become an orthopedic surgeon in sports medicine."

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  Alex Gorin

  Alex's research focused on micro RNA's function and specifically on targets in C. Elegans using a newly developed technique. He hopes that his research may be applied to finding a cause for cancer in humans. He is seeking to obtain an MD and a Ph.D. and wants to pursue a career in academic medicine."

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  Michelle Han

  Michelle's research involved the investigation into how gender affected about 60 HIV+ women in Arusha, Tanzania and identified the barriers women came across when they sought physical and emotional treatment. Working with a women's group in Arusha, Tanzania has left a profound effect on her life; Michelle wants to combine her interests in reproductive health, feminism, and health equality by becoming a physician focusing on obstetrics/gynecology and primary care."

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  Annie Peng

  Annie worked in Lin Chao's lab, where she participated in research involving senescence from the asymmetric division of bacteria, primarily E. coli. Following her graduation with a Master's degree, she plans to either continue her studies or find work in the biotechnology industry."

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  Tiffany Su

  Tiffany's work focused on the creation and the streamlining of a protocol for transfecting tobacco leaves with Arabidopsis thaliana plants. This newly created protocol could help the scientific community perform similar experiments that involve obtaining difficult to clone gene segments from any species using a different splicing mechanism from a completely different species. She intends to pursue a graduate degree and would like to travel around the world to see how the study of the sciences is conducted."

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  Linh Truong

  Linh's research was part of a continuing exploration of the phosphate hydrolyser, Alkaline Phosphatase, and how it can be employed to mineralize Gram-negative bacteria like E. coli using methods previously employed with Gram-positive bacteria. She plans on becoming a doctor and hopes to use her research and insight to provide better care for her future patients."

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  Hannah Wang

  Hannah took part in research uncovering the role of tubulins in phage biology. She hopes her work will benefit the study of infectious diseases, evolutionary biology, and the development of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In the future, she would like to become a practicing physician and combine her interest in biology and her studying of the French language to bring vital medical care to countries in Francophone Africa."

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  Chelsea Wong

  The avian flu was Chelsea's main topic of research; she particularly worked with neuraminidase (viral surface glycoprotein) mutants and observed how they form resistance to anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu. Chelsea is dedicated in continuing her research and would like to attend dental school in the near future."

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  Linda Zhao

  Linda worked in Dr. Steve Wasserman's lab where she researched the reproductive immunity of Drosophila melanogaster (the common fruit fly) which she hopes to apply to the treatment of human sexually transmitted diseases. In the future, she would like to continue her research and also fulfill her wish to help others by working in the healthcare field."

The 2008 Eureka! Scholars were the first to receive this incredible opportunity.

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  Jessica Fujimoto

  Jessica researched about how different E proteins, which are transcription factors that play essential roles in maintaining T cell homeostasis, may be able to compensate for the absence of another. After her studies here, she plans to attend medical school and become a surgeon.

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  Lisa Geary '09

  Lisa participated in Herpesvirus Entry Mediator research at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; which through further research may expose a target for therapeutics to block autoimmune diseases. In the future, she plans to continue her studies and pursue a Ph.D. in immunology and work in the research field.

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  Francis Hwee '09

  Francis's research in biofuels entailed three main goals: understanding the TEnBox DNA sequence that exponentially increases protein synthesis, metabolically engineering mevalonate acid (an important precursor to anti-malarial and anti-cancer drugs), and ultimately combining these efforts to produce precursor molecules of anti-malarial and anti-cancer drugs with maximum protein yield and minimum expenses. Her future objectives include becoming a physician and helping the people of Myanmar.

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  Darrell Tran '10

  Darrell's research dealt with the characterizing of the gene headcase within the stem cell niche of male drosophila (fruit fly) gonads. His experiences in volunteering and helping out others has helped him in choosing to attend medical school and become a physician to better help out his community.