During my undergraduate studies, I gained valuable experience in biomedical engineering research settings. I first worked in Dr. Gabor Balazsi’s Laboratory at Stony Brook University where I designed dual Tet promoter synthetic gene circuits to conduct a systematic comparison of the gene expression dynamic in mammalian cells such as Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. The implications of this research will allow for the standardization of the synthetic gene circuit components in a molecular and cellular context. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms that govern these gene circuits will potentially lead to the ability to optimize the circuit for use in other synthetic biology applications such as gene therapy. Along with learning how to independently conduct molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and gene transfection, the idea of laboratory discipline required to reliably conduct experiments despite busy academic and extracurricular schedules was instilled in me. I was also privileged to attend the NSF funded CREATE REU at Pennsylvania State University. Here, I worked in Dr. Pak Kin Wong’s laboratory where I learned nanofabrication techniques to design and manufacture microfluidic devices to study the effect of perturbing forces on cardiac myosin molecules as a potential diagnostic method for detecting cardiomyopathy.

My current research in Dr. Katarzyna Sawicka’s Laboratory in the Department of Dermatology explores the possibility of transdermally delivering vaccines utilizing a novel, noninvasive patch. I found myself drawn to Dr. Sawicka’s research as it is a manifestation of my desire to improve medical care by making treatments more accessible. The potential advantages of patch based delivery are tremendous. Aside from eliminating the pain induced by conventional intramuscular syringe/needle based vaccination, the technology may end the need for refrigerated storage of vaccines and reduce production of biohazardous waste.