Researchers of Emory

Thursday Blog: Reflections on My First Research Conference

2024-03-07T15:43:00.001-05:00

This week, Research Ambassador Summayah El Azzioui gives a firsthand account of her experiences attending a national research conference.

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I stood in the registration line in the crowded conference center, feeling a surge of both excitement and nervousness. I had traveled from Emory’s campus to Anaheim, California to attend the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). ABRCMS is designed to support underrepresented minorities in biomedical disciplines. It was my first time attending a national research conference and I had no idea what to expect for the next couple of days.

The first day was filled with lecture sessions hosted by leading experts in research. Some sessions showcased innovative and thought-provoking findings on a wide range of topics. I also attended professional development sessions, including one weighing the pros and cons of MD/PhD programs. I had the unique opportunity to talk to both admissions committee members from different programs across the nation and current MD/PhD students. This session was very useful in making a decision about my post-grad plans.

The following day was huge for me. It was the day I would be presenting my own research to hundreds of conference attendees. Despite my nerves, I was ready to share the hard work and dedication I had put into my project. I felt even better because my mentor traveled the long distance to give me moral support. This poster session was unlike anything I had ever done because it was judged. Over the hour session, three judges stopped by my board and evaluated my presentation. I really enjoyed meeting all of the passersby, whether fellow peers or more experienced researchers. The thoughtful conversations and connections I made gave me insight into possible new future directions for my work.

As the conference came to an end, I reflected on the meaningful experience. It had been filled with learning, networking, and personal growth. Most importantly, I had reaffirmed my passion for research and contributing to the scholarly community. I remain grateful for this wonderful opportunity as it has continued to have a lasting impact on my life as a student and researcher.

Why Research Wednesday: Sammy Lai

2024-02-28T17:23:00.002-05:00

Samantha (Sammy) Lai is a senior majoring in Anthropology and Human Biology on the pre-med track with a minor in Music. She researches in the anthropology department as a part of the APE Lab under Dr. Lonsdorf. Her project focuses on the health of chimps in Gombe National Park in Tanzania.

Sammy has been involved in research since spring semester of junior year and she first heard about this lab by her major advisor, Dr. Lindo, through which she later got involved with.

Sammy had an interview with her PI about what her research was focused in and she thought it was interesting that they were able to use the health collected from chimps to study current epidemics in human populations. She was given the option between studying mother infant data of chimps and health data, and she chose health because it was more interesting to her.

Sammy states that research teaches you discipline and working with a PI has given her a one-on-one relationship with a mentor in the anthropology field. She has learned how to handle data and use different databases.

Sammy's current goals are to continue tracking the spread of disease in chimpanzee populations and her future goals are to be able to utilize these skills as a future physician.

Why Research Wednesday: Annette Prah

2024-02-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

Annette Prah is a 4th year student studying Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Prah’s research is through the Moffitt Lab in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, where she currently studies the genetics of acute myeloid leukemia. Her project includes using bioinformatics approaches to identify current and novel mutations, assess sensitivity and specificity of clinical testing, and categorize patients into risk groups based on their cytogenetic and mutational profiles. After completing the fall semester of her junior year, Prah reached out to the TA of her genetics course expressing interest in participating in genetics research. He put her in contact with an associate dean in the Office of Undergraduate Education, who gave her guidance while contacting faculty. Prah contacted Dr. Moffitt, whose prior research on hematological malignancies such as B and T cell lymphomas was intriguing to Prah. The two had a meeting to discuss Dr. Moffitt’s current research and Prah’s research interests. Prah became a lab member at the start of the spring semester of her junior year, marking one year with the Moffitt lab in January 2024.

Growing up with two brothers afflicted with sickle cell disease, Prah has long been interested in the genetic basis behind human diseases and hematological afflictions especially. After completing a course covering the human perspective of genetics during her junior year, Prah found that the genetics course stood out as a highlight in her academic experience. After discussing the opportunities and projects in Dr. Moffitt’s lab during their first meeting, Prah was eager to integrate the knowledge she gained from her coursework into her research.

For Prah, participating in research certainly has its benefits. She has not only been able to learn conceptually about genetics and data analysis in her courses, but then see their real-world application by utilizing them in research that can benefit many. Prah has also been able to develop her public speaking and presentation skills by sharing updates about her project with members in the Moffitt lab, and with fellow researchers interested in genetics, oncology, and hematological malignancies alike. Prah finds it inspiring and motivating to be surrounded by people so deeply dedicated to their research, and she hopes to continue to grow in this collaborative environment.

When Prah first joined the Moffitt Lab, she was interested in learning more about how research operated on a day-to-day level, and how her involvement through her project could help her learn more about genetics in relation to acute myeloid leukemia. As an aspiring physician, she also has an appreciation for the research behind novel medical treatments, so she hopes to get first-hand experience of healthcare innovation by working on projects that both researchers and clinicians can find useful for treating patients. She also hopes that through research, she can gain more experience to inform a decision of pursuing a PhD, teaching, and mentoring students along with a medical degree.