Hi all, I’m Evan Sun! I’m currently a senior studying molecular biology with minors in chemistry and Chinese. When I’m not in classes or doing coursework, I like to play (and lose at) badminton and practice viola. I also enjoy playing video games and card games with my friends. Oh, and the lab as well. I enjoy that.

I first joined the Rebeiz lab (headed by Dr. Mark Rebeiz) about a year ago, and back then, I worked on dissecting fruit flies to get some fun imaging data. I was mentored by a Ph.D. student, Ivan Mendez, who helped me immensely through learning protocols and techniques, and, more importantly, taught me how to think like a scientist. Since Ivan has since graduated, I am working with Dr. Rebeiz on my current project. My central question is this: How are genes orchestrated to create the color patterns we see on the fruit fly? Different genes create different hues: black, tan, yellow, white. I am interested in how these genes are controlled – why are upper abdomen cells yellow while the lower ones are black? In my project, I want to identify gene regulatory sequences, that is, DNA code which doesn’t bother itself with making traits but rather tells surrounding genes what to do. Despite being inexcusably lazy, the mechanisms of these regulatory sequences are a major part of what creates the infinite diversity of nature.

My plan for this semester is to set up and analyze my transgenic reporter assays. That is essentially a method to locate gene regulators and form predictions about their actual mechanisms within the fruit fly. Right now, my time is going toward taking images of fruit fly abdomens and analyzing the differences between my samples.

Once I’m finished with the experimental portion of my project, my ambition is to write a paper and get it published in a journal. That is still in the distant future, with many unexpected twists and turns ahead, I’m sure. In terms of my career, my (highly original) goal is to become a physician. However, I am laying my roots in research and intend for it to remain a central focus of my career. The Brackenridge fellowship provides me with a great opportunity to interact with my peers who do research in areas I’ve never even thought about. It will be a fantastic chance to learn from others and communicate my own research to a wide variety of people!