After receiving a diagnosis of dysautonomia and post-concussional syndrome in my sophomore year of high school, I consulted with various doctors and was exposed to a variety of medical technology and techniques in the process. My conversations with these professionals and patient experiences gradually spurred my interest in medical research and neuroscience. As a college freshman, I joined the Horn lab, which investigated the pathophysiology of the vagus nerve and the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on emesis. This research had important applications for dysautonomia therapies and gastrointestinal diseases. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to work for a lab that specialized in another branch of biology: viruses. I worked as an undergraduate summer student with the Laboratory of Adjuvants and Antigens at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), which investigates HIV-1 antigens and vaccine formulations. Working at WRAIR introduced me to immunology research, leading me to major in Microbiology at Pitt. 

When I returned to Pitt in fall of my sophomore year, I transitioned to a lab that combined my interests in neuroscience and microbiology: the Saloman Lab. I connected with Dr. Jami Saloman whose work in neuroimmunology research investigates the pathophysiology of pancreatitis, pancreatic pain, and cancer. Through working with the Saloman lab, I have learned how to image nerves and analyze neurons in pancreatic tissue, while also conducting the antibody staining techniques I was exposed to at WRAIR. Dr. Saloman has been incredibly supportive of my work, and I have been able to grow as a researcher and scientific writer through her lab.

The research process can often be intimidating for students who have a variety of interests or are unfamiliar with how to approach researchers. When I first started looking for lab opportunities, I met with an undergraduate research mentor through the Honors College to discuss potential opportunities in neuroscience labs. She referred me to faculty lists for the Pitt Neuroscience Department, the Center for Neuroscience, and the Center for Neural Basis of Cognition. These sites enabled me to search for researchers whose work aligned with the neuroscientific focuses that I was most excited about. Moreover, she provided me with a cold email template to use to reach out to investigators.

I strongly recommend connecting with research mentors through the Honors College and Office of Undergraduate Research as they can provide you with materials and sites to get started with research. Moreover, since many Pitt STEM-oriented student clubs will often host speaker events or panels with researchers, it may be useful to attend these events and connect one-on-one with these researchers afterwards to discuss lab opportunities.

For students who want to get involved in research, I recommend starting as early as freshman or sophomore year. In my case, my first P.I. at Pitt retired after my second semester in his lab, so I started at a new lab in spring of my sophomore year. Restarting early in the Saloman Lab has allowed me more time to master new techniques, join different research projects, and eventually take part in research fellowships like the CURF. In general, it is important that students give themselves time to assess whether a lab is a good fit for them. 

My Pitt research experience has encouraged me to continue pursuing research as part of my professional career. After college, I would like to pursue the Fulbright Open Research Award in Argentina, Peru, or Bolivia to investigate whether compounds used in traditional medicine could be repurposed in vaccine formulations. Learning how to research has not only helped me grow my lab skills but also helped me learn how to most effectively present my data and demonstrate the significance of my work. Furthermore, developing my scientific writing abilities will enable me to inform future studies of the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives often overlooked in Western medicine. 

I aspire to become a physician scientist and would like to specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. My research will likely focus on pain pathophysiology and neuroimmunology, which both relate to my work at the Saloman lab. I am excited to further develop the lab techniques I have learned and embark on different research projects. Engaging in research has helped me become a more confident scientist, and I look forward to pursuing a medical and scientific career that bridges all my interests.