BY WEIYI ZHAO
Poster Presentations
Many of the Chi Omega Lambda inductees will be presenting their research in the 14th Annual Undergraduate Poster Competition at the 2010 ASBMB annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Be sure to visit their posters and congratulate them on their outstanding achievements. Special recognition will be given to these students at the meeting.
With impeccable academic records and outstanding research, the 2010 class of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honor society, Chi Omega Lambda, is a cohort of promising young scientists with big dreams and big hearts. Even in the midst of their rigorous academic schedules and busy lives, all of these students have found time to serve their local communities. Whether it’s doing science outreach in schools, tutoring immigrant families in English or volunteering at summer camp, these students represent a smart generation of socially conscious young people who demonstrate that being great scientists also means being good citizens.
Here, in their own words, are awe-inspiring stories from four inductees who were unanimously elected into Chi Omega Lambda by the ASBMB Undergraduate Affiliate Network Committee.
Sarah Edwards
University of Arizona
I am a junior majoring in biochemistry at the University of Arizona. I came to Tucson from Austin. I chose to major in biochemistry, because I am fascinated by the chemical processes that occur in living cells. After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue my research and studies in graduate school and earn a doctorate in cell biology. Ultimately, I aspire to conduct research at a university or research institute.
I first began doing research during my summers in high school and have continued my involvement in research at the University of Arizona. Currently, my research in Tsu-Shen Tsao’s laboratory focuses on developing a method to measure the redox state of the endoplasmic reticulum in living cells. This past summer, I studied salt stress on cells under the mentorship of Natalia Dmitrieva and Maurice B. Burg at the National Institutes of Health. I will present the results of my work at the undergraduate poster session at the ASBMB 2010 annual meeting.
In addition to my classes and research, I lead science outreach and education activities in the local community. My goal is to excite kids about science and to give taxpayers (who ultimately support my research) an appreciation of science. I am also involved with the University of Arizona ASBMB UAN chapter, through which I helped to organize an undergraduate research conference for the Southwest region. Outside of science, I love running, cycling and puzzles.