The UW College of Agriculture offers incredible access to a wide variety of unique experiences that allow for further insights into classroom concepts. With this college leading the institution in research dollars awarded per faculty member, there are extensive opportunities for undergraduate research. Students in the College of Ag have an exciting possibility to add another dimension to their in-class learning endeavors by engaging in hands-on experiences with cutting-edge research.
Getting started on a research project may seem daunting, but professors are thrilled to see undergraduate interest in their research projects. I knew I wanted to get involved in research but I didn’t really know how. In my first-year seminar class, we had a guest lecture from one of the molecular biology professors on campus, Dr. Mark Gomelsky. His research is focused on a biological technique that uses light to control living tissue functions which is known as optogenetics. I was immediately intrigued and fascinated by this research, so after his presentation, I went up to Dr. Gomelsky and asked if he took undergraduate students in his lab. My current research work involves achieving localized immunosuppression through the engineering of light activated immune cells.
Engaging in research has always been an aspiration of mine as my curiosity propels me to always seek new opportunities, ask challenging questions, and learn from my experiences. Research, in general, intrigues me because I am highly interested in understanding the process behind actions. I like to understand how something works, what makes it work that way, and why. Synthetic photobiology fascinates me because not only am I learning about natural networks and circuits but with light, it is possible to engineer changes that induce novel functions. I love working with a cohesive team while immersing myself in the research process while learning about mechanisms that are at the forefront of synthetic biology.
If you think you might be interested in partaking in research during your time here at the university, I would highly recommend it. It’s important to find a field that intrigues you and identify a professor whose research matches your interests. Don’t be afraid to go up to the professor and ask if they would be interested in adding an undergraduate student to their research team. Be enthusiastic and show your mentor that you are interested and grateful for the opportunity. It’s also helpful to keep an open mind as it takes time to learn the necessary skills to run experiments correctly and to think analytically about the results. There may be some grunt work involved that is not particularly fun, but if you are open to learning as much as you can and learn as many skills as possible you will be well on your way to becoming an effective member of the research team. Be sure to ask questions if you are unsure or are just curious! Science is a process and I’ve learned that it is necessary not to stress when things don’t go as planned. Failure is part of research and learning from those failures is a critical aspect of a successful researcher. Not only will you gain scientific insight and research skills, but the intangible skills such as critical thinking, learning from failure, and perseverance are all qualities that will help you excel in whatever life path you chose.
Best of luck and remember to have fun!!
-Clara Delahaye
