Education | Rohan Maini

Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Stony Brook University, NY, Degree Expected: May 2016

Specialization in Psychology– The world would be a simpler place if everyone could read each others’ minds. Not that psychology does that, but it brings me one step closer to understanding how people think and what kind of mental illnesses exist. Most psychological experiments are also proficient at pointing out the flaws of our species, including stigmas and prejudices that are inherent in society. As an aspiring physician, all these ideas are important to know.
- Took PSY 310 (Research and Writing): This course taught me how to formulate and organize my own psychology experiment, along with teaching me the skills on how to write up a research manuscript.
- Took PSY 301 (Advanced Statistics): This course taught me how to analyze data from a statistical perspective, and learned the conceptual theories behind statistical testing.

Minor in Writing– Choosing to minor in writing was one of the best decisions I have made at Stony Brook. One of the courses allowed me to make this online professional portfolio, teaching me to become a better writer while also giving me a vibrant online presence. Learning to design a website from a Word Press template was just another perk. My Fiction Writing class allowed me to explore the inner workings of my creative side, and break the traditional bonds that usually encompass academic writing.
- Completed five courses, covering professional writing, fictional writing, narrative writing.
- Developed this professional portfolio online, conducted and presented research on writing in medicine, learned to write vision statements.

Minor in Biology– The Biology minor coincided with my love for science and desire to be a physician. The complexity of the human body is astounding and I have only experienced the tip of the iceberg.
- Took BIO 203 (Cell and Organ Physiology): Taught me how to study and analyze tremendous amounts of information.
- Head Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for BIO 202: Mentored and commented on homework for fifty kids. Made sure other TAs fulfilled their responsibilities and conducted the first ever final review session.
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for BIO 205 (Biology Lab): Secondary teacher during the lab period, mentored 25 students and answered questions about lab. Ran a lab session on my own. Held office hours and review sessions.
- Research Assistant in Cancer Lab

Honors College program
- Writing a senior thesis about crystallization of a triglyceride-synthesizing enzyme. This project is comprised of an analysis of the lipin family of enzymes, which regulate the synthesis of triacylglycerol (triglycerides). The yeast version of the protein in question, phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP1), contains a homologue expressed within a potato gene. After various rounds of mutagenesis, yeast transformations, and spot culture tests, I found that the potato lipin complements the yeast lipin. A previous study found that the potato lipin was much easier to crystallize because it lacked a flexible, regulatory region between two conserved domains. Currently, I am attempting to delete this same region in the yeast protein and determine whether this promotes crystallization of the PAP1. If this works, then we can move on to the human lipin protein and try the same protocol. Crystallizing both of these will give us an insight on the mechanism in which triglycerides are synthesized and even allow us manipulate it. This could be a huge stepping stone for treating cardiovascular disease and fighting obesity.