During my last year at Colgate University, I studied mammalian orthoreovirus-induced apoptosis in a BSL2 Virology lab. I investigated the expression of two genes: p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) post-infection. I gained experience using lab techniques such as cell culture methods, immunofluorescence staining, plaque assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, qPCR, acridine orange staining, caspase assays and luciferase assays. Additionally, I was also responsible for tasks such as cleaning and sterilizing glassware, preparing buffers and autoclaving trash in order to maintain an orderly lab environment. My research experience culminated in poster sessions during the Spring 2014 semester at Colgate University, as well as the American Society for Virology 2014 conference that was recently held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Over the course of 5 weeks, I studied tropical ecology and conservation at the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas’ (IPE) Center for Conservation Biology, situated in a forest fragment in the Atlantic Forest. In addition, I conducted an independent study about river sedimentation and its effect on macroinvertebrate diversity in freshwater ecosystems in Atlantic Rainforest fragments.

During the Fall 2011 semester, I analyzed crayfish behavior by looking at several time points in a video and taking notes on brave or timid behavior. At the end of the semester, I presented summarized data to my supervisor whose research focuses on the effects of monoamines on animal behavior.