I do research at the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, where I work in the Wood Lab under Ph.D. candidate Rianne Campbell. I study how cocaine alters neuronal function within the brain to promote cocaine-seeking behaviors. More specifically, I examine how cocaine alters epigenetic regulation of gene expression and synaptic plasticity within the nucleus accumbens, a brain region critical for processing reward, to promote cocaine-associated memory formation.

I first got involved in research the summer after high school in 2015 because I already had a strong interest in biology. I joined a diabetes research lab at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, by contacting several faculty members in subjects I was interested in, and finding one that had an opening. This experience had a very positive impact on me, and I knew I wanted to continue doing research in my undergraduate career. Here at UCI, I got involved in research by emailing Dr. Wood in the fall quarter of my freshman year because I was interested in his research topic. I got a response from him saying that his lab was full, but they would be needing new undergrads in spring. I did not give up there, so I made sure I met with a graduate student from his lab so that I would be the first choice when they did need new people. I was eventually able to join the lab in spring quarter, and the rest is history!

Research has enhanced my education by exposing me to different laboratory techniques and challenging my thinking. As a freshman, I had not taken many biology classes, but in the lab I had to learn about topics in my research field very rapidly. I benefitted from this tremendously because it forced me to think critically about what we are doing in an experiment, as well as why we are doing it. I also learned how to effectively read scientific papers, which is a very important skill in any science-related field.

My favorite experience in research has been presenting my findings. It was exciting to finally see the data from hours and hours of work all form a cohesive presentation, and I enjoyed sharing my findings with others. I also like working and collaborating with other researchers in the Wood lab, as it is a very supportive environment.

My future plans are to go to medical school and become a physician. Being involved in research has prepared me for this because I work with mice, and am thus directly involved with living organisms. This puts me face to face with biological systems and has peaked my interest in the field of surgery.

I recommend that you first research different professors and find out which labs you are interested in. You will be spending a lot of time and effort in a research lab, so make sure you’re working in a field you are passionate about. There is such a wide range of research topics that are being studied at UCI, that there really is something for everyone. After you have found a few labs you are interested in, email the professors and wait for responses. I’ll be honest; getting replies from professors may seem difficult, but if you keep at it you will get some eventually and all your hard work will pay off.