Q&A with 2024 IICD SRP Interns

Sophia Gardiner is a rising senior in Mathematics at Haverford College. Sophia is mentored by Drs. Poly Hannah da Silva and Arash Jamshidpey. Her research explores the effects of a fluctuating environment and heterogeneity in populations living on the vertices of graphs.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

I decided I wanted to study math during my first year in college. I’ve always loved puzzles, and it felt like my math homework was just as fun as playing a puzzle game or solving a riddle. After two years of being a math major, I started to wonder what I could use everything I had learned in my math classes for and I searched for summer programs that would allow me to explore those possibilities. This led me to try out research programs like IICD SRP.

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

Science is constantly challenging me to view the world in completely new ways. A lot of hard problems in math require the solver to think outside of the box and experiment with lots of different tools and perspectives. Once you’ve solved the problem, you often come away with a totally new understanding of the material and how you can apply it. I also love how solving problems forces you to build intuition to the point that you can bend and flex an idea to apply to anything. That level of flexibility in my thinking is very satisfying and often useful when it comes to thinking about new, complex problems in the real world.

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

I plan to spend some time post-graduation just exploring the job market and seeing what I can do with my undergraduate degree. I might try some jobs in policy think tanks, non-profits, or biostats consulting; I’m not sure yet. At some point I would like to return to get either a master’s degree or a PhD, and this experimentation in different fields will inform me on what exactly I’d like to get a higher degree in.

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why? 

I would choose to be Jane Goodall, Raj Chetty, or Shankar Vedantam. I would love to be outside and work with animals like Jane Goodall did. Raj Chetty is a famous economist who’s done a ton of very influential work in equality of economic opportunity, and I think it would be cool to have a job that is so relevant to life in the United States today. I don’t know if Shankar Vedantam counts as a scientist, but he runs the podcast Hidden Brain which is about psychology and economics and really shows how amazing statistics can be when applied to these fields. Basically, his job is to have interesting conversations with economists and psychologists about what they’ve been researching recently - nothing sounds more fun to me.

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself. 

I have two pet beetles (blue death-feigning beetles). They are totally harmless, very clumsy, and super easy to take care of. A great starter bug if you’re interested in keeping bugs as pets!

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

I do fencing and track for my extracurriculars, but other than sports, I love to read, try new restaurants, and walk around with friends. I would love to learn how to draw (more than just stick figures) and how to play soccer at some point too.

Chenjishi Lin is a rising senior in Computer Science at Haverford College. Chenjishi is mentored by Drs. Andrew Blumberg and Bianca Dumitrascu. Her research addresses the challenge of cross-species analysis using computational tools.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

I wasn't particularly drawn to science during my academic journey up to college. However, once I started college, I met many passionate individuals who influenced my perspective. My professors who applied their expertise in computer science or applied mathematics to biological research which sparked my interest in the field, leading me to dedicate myself to this specific area of research this summer.

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

Science fascinates me because it presents complex problems to solve, making the journey of discovery deeply rewarding.

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

After completing my research, I plan to pursue a master's degree. Depending on my interests at that time, I will either continue with further research or enter the job field related to computer science.

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why?

If I could be any scientist, I would choose to be Marie Curie. Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity made significant advances in both physics and chemistry, and she defied the gender norms of her time, becoming the first female scientist and the first female to win not just one but two Nobel Prizes.

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I'm part of the Chinese Music Ensemble at my college, where I play the Guzheng.

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab? 

I like to play badminton at clubs in my free time to meet different people of different levels.

Jun Lin is a rising junior in Biology at Stony Brook University. Jun is mentored by Abhishek Iyer and Dr. Jellert Gaublomme. Jun’s research focuses on identifying the combinatorial effects of genes that are potentially involved in Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. 

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

Science has always been my favorite subject since elementary school. I found it fascinating to learn about our world and ask why certain things are the way they are. However, it wasn’t until my freshman year of high school that I got heavily involved in research through a four-year science research program. That program piqued my interest in research in biological sciences and broadened my horizons to explore research as a career.  

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

My favorite thing about science is the constant exploration and complexity. Science is constantly expanding and growing as a field and allows collaborators from all over the world to work together on an issue. I also find it poetic that some of the most complex issues in science can have the simplest solutions. 

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

After receiving my undergrad degree, I wish to eventually pursue a PhD in pharmaceutical science or pharmacology. I may take a year to go into the pharmaceutical industry to understand the work environment and gain experience working in the industry. However, my goal right now is to conduct pharmaceutical research working on drug development.

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why?

If I could be any scientist, I would be Dr. Edward Jenner who pioneered the first vaccine against smallpox. His innovative work on inducing cowpox in patients would help protect them against smallpox and made enormous strides for his time. I admire his determination to supply cowpox to areas around the world and even when faced with opposition he did not give up. 

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

A fun fact about me is that I play chess. 

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

When I’m not in the lab, I like to spend time with my friends and family. I like to play some basketball in the park when I’m free.

Hadassah Mayerfeld is a rising senior in Physical Sciences with concentrations in Biology and Computer Science at Yeshiva University Stern College for Women. Hadassah is mentored by Drs. Andrew Blumberg and Bianca Dumitrascu. Hadassah’s research addresses the challenge of cross-species analysis using computational tools.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

The direct observations of gravitational waves by LIGO in 2015, confirming Albert Einstein’s general relativity theory from 100 years prior, highlighted for me the profound potential of mathematics-driven scientific research. This milestone sparked my interest in exploring the intersection of mathematics, physics, and biology. My interest in scientific research has since deepened because of the unique nature of such a field that centers around honest inquiry, is motivated by a desire to further understand our complex world, and is driven by a want to positively impact those around us.

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

Every equation and discovery leads to a new question. My favorite thing about science is that it is a field of perpetual discovery, where each answer opens the door to a new inquiry. Science provides a structured method to explore the unknown and thus has enabled me to investigate the natural world. 

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

I plan to pursue a master's degree or PhD in either biomedical engineering or mathematical and computational biology. 

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why?

I have always admired Marie Curie. Her groundbreaking scientific discoveries in the field of radioactivity and her status as the first woman to win a Nobel Prize - and the only person to win in two different scientific fields - are remarkable. However, I especially respect her for her invention of the radiological car during World War I, which brought X-ray technology to battlefield surgeons. When the war broke out, Curie saw science as a responsibility and asked, "What can I do to contribute?" She viewed her scientific knowledge as both a privilege and a duty, using it to give back to the world. Inspired by her, I strive to see science as a call to action and always consider how I can take the knowledge I am fortunate to have and use it to contribute to the world around me.

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I play the drums. 

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

I really enjoy painting (and my favorite medium is oil paints!)

Abdullah Naqvi is a rising senior in Biotechnology at City College of New York. Abdullah is mentored by Drs. Lingting Shi and Elham Azizi. Abdullah’s research focuses on elucidating tumor-immune interactions in glioblastoma to enhance immunotherapy.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

One of my close family members is a cancer survivor. At a young age, I didn’t quite understand what it meant when a person had cancer, but I was well aware of the effects it had on my family. There was a veil of solemnity that would always shroud my family. When the cancer was officially considered cured, it felt as if that veil was lifted, and I could finally see for the first time. I became interested in researching cancer since then. I felt - and still feel - that I shouldn’t be one of only a select few whose veil is removed. I wanted the millions of other families who deal with cancer to also experience that feeling. I got into research to be able to research this disease so that we may have a better understanding of how to cure it for good.

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

I love how it’s a sort of global community, where different people are always discovering new things and sharing them so that the whole world advances together in combating diseases.

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

After I receive my bachelor's degree, I’d like to enter an MD-PhD program so that I can continue to research cancer but also actively help people suffering from it as well.

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why? 

I would probably want to meet Alexander Fleming because of his huge contributions to the medical field. He created penicillin, the first antibiotic, and thanks to his discovery, we have created dozens.

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself. 

I like to play soccer! I was a defender in high school and my freshman year of college.

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

Usually, I’ll watch a TV show or read some articles. I’ve been watching Invincible lately! It’s so good!

Yash Patel is a rising junior in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Applied Physics at the University of Miami. Yash is mentored by Dr. Yue Wang. His research focuses on genetic regulatory network inference utilizing transformers.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

I was interested in the complex problems it presented, and the unguided, intellectually fulfilling, and creative aspects of doing research made it stand out to me as something I would enjoy working on. 
2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

How complex and nuanced it is, particularly those sciences that focus on studying the world around us and in space. As advanced as technology is, there are still so many questions about our natural world that we have not answered. 

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

I would like to eventually work in a research-focused role in finance, particularly using mathematics and statistics for those purposes. Quantitative finance interests me for those reasons, and this goal may lead me to pursue a PhD in an applied math/statistics field if I cannot have such a job after my undergraduate degree. 

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why?

John Von Neumann. He made many breakthroughs in a number of fields such as quantum physics, computer science, astronomy, and economics. He was known for being personable and light-hearted as well.

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I used to have a pet parakeet!

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

Workout, read, hang out with friends, and play poker. Get outside as much as I can.

Vanessa Rivas is a rising senior in Biology at City College of New York. Vanessa is mentored by Mathini Vaikunthan, Cody Slater, and Dr. José McFaline-Figueroa. Her research focuses on understanding heterogeneity in large transcriptomic datasets using a deep generative model.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

My interest in science started in middle school. I was particularly interested in the hands-on experiments that we conducted in my various science classes. As I advanced in my education, the experiments we conducted were more complex and fun. Whether it was ray optics in physics, synthesizing a compound in organic chemistry, or dissection in biology, participating in the lab allowed me to apply the conceptual knowledge that I had learned in lecture to real-life applications. With every lab experiment I was able to conduct, my passion and interest in science and research continued to grow.

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

My favorite thing about science is that there is always something new to learn. Science has so many diverse subfields and interdisciplinary regions that there is always new research to be done. The research across the various subfields has frequently bridged gaps in knowledge, helping us understand the world around us all the more.  I love that there is so much more to learn because there is still so much we do not know.

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

After I finish my undergraduate degree, I plan to apply to medical school. In addition, I plan to apply for volunteer opportunities in hospital settings. I hope to also hold a job related to my field of interest to be better prepared for what lies ahead.

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why?

If I could be any scientist, I would like to be like Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff, a molecular biologist whose research led to the discovery of a bacteria that could be engineered to produce insulin. Her breakthrough improved the availability of insulin for diabetes treatment. She is an incredible role model and inspiration for women, such as myself, who also aspire to conduct research, contribute towards the understanding of disease, and develop treatment. 

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

An interesting fact about myself is that I have been playing piano for several years. I started when I was four years old and continued into high school. I took some time away from music during my initial years of college, but have recently been taking time to continue my practice.

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

When I am not in the lab, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I love playing card games with my brother. Lately, my family and I have been going for walks in the park near our apartment, but I hope to find a new family activity as the heat increases over the summer. 

Elliott Seo is a rising junior in Biology with a concentration in Quantitative Bio & Informatics at Stony Brook University. Elliott is mentored by Dr. Khanh Dinh. His research focuses on the history of cancer evolution from bulk DNA-sequencing data. 

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

I remember my mother realizing that my favorite question to ask was “Why?” second only to “What’s for dinner?”. And I was very pleasantly round when I was younger. I think my roots in science were partly due to my parents’ background as they are both researchers, but the stem for knowledge only continued to grow as I explored the realm of questioning “Why?”. Science and research brought many answers to my curiosity, just as my mother filled my plate with delicious meals every night. Eventually, I had to go on a diet, but I haven’t reached that point with science and research yet, and I do not plan to stop any time soon!

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

Probably my favorite thing about science is the versatility in the fields and how there's always something new you can research. I believe that as long as we have the curiosity to explore, science is a field that is constantly expanding and changing. Sadly, though, that means I could never truly satisfy my favorite question, “Why?”

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

Definitely going for a PhD or some higher education in the future. There are programs for a combined Master’s and PhD in Bioinformatics or Data Science, which is something that I’ll be more than excited to dive into after my undergraduate degree. Further into the future, I plan to get into industry as a Bioinformatician and hopefully even start a company if my research proves successful! Either way, I definitely plan to continue in this field and work my best to learn everything I can about this growing field!

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why? 

C’mon, what’s there not to love about being a Bioinformatician! It's like having a superpower in both the world of biology and data science. Biology will always be needed as long as we are alive, and the whole world is currently looking at the evolution of computers and data science, so why not have both?  

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself. 

I was born on February 29th, 2004! That technically only makes me 5. Watch out for the youngest Bioinformatician in the field! Another fun fact is that I love to crochet.

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

I love to be with my dog Biscuit and watch movies or shows while giving her snacks or playing with her. I love listening to music of nearly every genre, and I am a strong believer that music is crucial to my concentration and well-being! Finally, I enjoy weight-lifting as one of my hobbies, and it's a great contrast from office work.

Kyle Tsai is a rising senior in Operations Research and Financial Engineering at Princeton University. Kyle is mentored by Drs. Poly Hannah da Silva and Arash Jamshidpey. He investigates the effects of accumulative mutations on selection and heterogeneity in the structured Moran process.

1/ How did you get interested in science and doing research?

Honestly, I used to enjoy math much more than science - the logical reasoning, the puzzle of solving every question using theorems we already knew. After I started learning chemistry, I began to really enjoy science, especially how everything made sense as each topic was built on top of the other. Research really combines what I love about both math and science. The experiment design resembles my approach to solving math problems, and the applications are rooted in science.

2/ What is your favorite thing about science?

My favorite thing about science is its ability to explain our natural world. I find beauty in the ideas of chemistry and biology explaining everything happening in our body, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge to explain the unknown is something I could never get sick of. Its interdisciplinary nature is also intriguing to me - it allows me to combine my interests in math, probability, and computation to study diseases like cancer.

3/ What are your plans after receiving your undergraduate degree?

Although I’m not entirely sure, I’m bouncing between pursuing an MD, PhD, or an MD/PhD program. Regardless, I definitely would want to continue my path in computational biology.

4/ If you could be any scientist, who would it be and why? 

This is definitely a common answer, but if I could be any scientist, I’d be Isaac Newton. What I love about science is exactly the idea of explaining our observations that we don’t understand, and he’s the prime example of that. In fact, inventing an entire branch of mathematics that’s used everywhere today just to help prove your theories is a pretty unique accomplishment to be known for.

5/ Tell us a fun fact about yourself. 

I used to be a big fan of Rubik’s Cubes in middle school, so I spent all summer after 6th grade trying to lower my time. My best is 8.5 seconds, and I could still probably solve a Rubik’s cube in 17 seconds.

6/ What do you like to do when you are not in the lab?

One of my favorite hobbies is playing basketball. I played in local leagues when I was younger and later played on my middle school and high school teams. As a clarinetist, I also enjoy playing chamber music with friends. Once in a while, I also make YouTube videos!