This summer we're profiling recipients of summer undergraduate research fellowships to learn about their academic interests and glance into their daily lives as undergraduate researchers.
Today we're speaking with Neuroscience junior Meher Swamy, a member of the Xinzhu Yu lab and a 2024 recipient of the Dawn M. Carlson Research Fellowship for Women in Science.
Why did you decide to apply for a fellowship?
I started working with Dr. Yu in the fall of 2023, and through her mentorship I developed a lot of technical skills that are essential for lab work. A summer fellowship seemed like a great opportunity to expand my skill set and get to work on my own project.
How did you get involved in Dr. Yu’s lab?
After freshman year, I decided to look for lab openings that were more specific to my research interests. That’s how I found Dr. Yu, who studies the astrocytic function between behavior and biology. I sent her an email and it turned out she was in need of undergraduate assistants, so the timing worked out perfectly.
Tell us about your research interests and what you’re working on this summer.
I am interested in neuropsychology and how behavior and cellular physiology intertwine. My project focuses on astrocytes, which are a type of glial cell in the brain. I am investigating how behavioral phenotypes of mice correspond to varying levels of astrocyte function. Astrocyte studies are rather new; only recently has neuroscience research expanded beyond neurons.
What does an average day look like for you?
I complete a variety of tasks, both for the lab as a whole and for my specific project. This includes PCR as well as sectioning, staining, and imaging brains. There’s something new happening every day, and I’m there to assist with as much as possible.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope this fellowship enriches and builds on the research experience I’ve gained through the school year. I’m using this time to learn new skills and improve the skills I’ve already acquired. Examining astrocytes like this is a very pioneering field, and I want to help progress knowledge in this area. I get to be a part of this movement, and that’s very exciting.
What are your career or academic goals?
My goal is a dual MD/PhD, which would allow me to teach doctoral courses while maintaining the research aspect of my career. I’d like research to remain at the forefront of whatever I do.
Do you have any advice for other undergraduates who would like to get involved in research?
Finding a lab can be difficult, but that shouldn’t deter you from being picky because you want to be happy with what you’re doing. Be honest with PIs and communicate which specific opportunities you’re seeking. Talk with your advisor and tell them your interests. Don’t take the “no”s personally. And try to start your research journey as early as you can so you have time to see what possibilities are out there.
How do you like to spend your free time?
This summer I’m exploring campus in ways my time didn’t allow for during the school year. I have a list of buildings on campus that I’d like to visit, like museums and the greenhouse.