Summer Undergraduate Research Program - Fred Hutchinson ...

My current research project dealing with developmental programming has piqued
my interest in molecular aspects of development and gene regulation as well as
environmental toxicology. I am pleased to find faculty investigating related topics
at the University of Washington. I am interested in the work of Dr. Charles Laird in
the epigenetics of human disease and in developing new techniques for evaluation
of DNA methylation. Additionally, I am fascinated by Dr. Elaine Faustman's
research investigating molecular mechanisms of developmental toxicity of
mutagens, teratogens, and carcinogens.
Since taking an undergraduate course on the subject, another major interest of mine
is the biology of aging. The University of Washington has an impressive group of
faculty that investigates various aspects of senescence, age-related disease, and
cancer. The Nathan Shock Center of Excellence in the Basic Biology of Aging and
the Genetic Approaches to Aging Training Grant is evidence of a high level of
commitment to this important and exciting field of research. I am particularly
interested in the work of Drs. Peter Rabinovitch and Daniel Gottschling, in mice
and in yeast, respectively, on genome instability in aging and neoplasia.
I am also interested in the opportunity to participate in the joint Ph.D./Epidemiology
M.S. Program. My research experience to date has made me deeply interested in the
greater implications of basic research, especially in public health. I find Molecular
Epidemiology a fascinating field, where identification of genetic and environmental
risk factors for diseases and disorders can be used to investigate patterns at the
population level. I plan to pursue a career which integrates these two scopes of
research. I am confident that with training from the University of Washington, I
would have a valuable and effective set of tools for success in biomedical research,
whether I continue in academia or in industry. I expect graduate school and
subsequent research to be challenging, but through athletics and academics I have
learned the level of commitment necessary for success. I am fully committed to the
challenge.
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