Name: Ae Lim Yang
Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Position Title: Undergraduate Researcher
Major(s)/Minor(s): Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S.
Expected Graduation Year: 2017
Briefly describe your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.
We study Human Immunodeficiency Virus in our lab to better understand the structural biology of the virus. My group primarily focuses on the Dimerization Initiation Site of HIV and its role in its dimerization mechanism. My responsibilities included gel electrophoresis, making RNA, and gathering the data in powerpoint form.
Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.
I was looking for a research position during freshman year and looked up all the professors at UMBC. I found Dr. Summers and I was intrigued by the HIV research that he did so I emailed him to ask for a research position. After meeting with him, he offered me a position and there began my journey! It’ll be my third year this summer.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?
I think I enjoy the moment when I can finally present my data. I've participated in SURF and Symposium on campus and it was very rewarding to know that everything on the poster was my work. My mentor, Dr. Thao Tran, is always so encouraging and I love working with her. She always interacts with the students with humor and patience. She also recently got her Ph.D. so I'm really happy for that!
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Definitely through presentations and publications. I have not been published (yet) but during presentations many people came up to me and asked me about my research. They are always so intrigued and I love telling them about my story.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Do not be afraid to ask! Doors are always open, it's just the matter of you opening it. And if it's locked, find the key. It really isn't that hard. Working in a lab like mine allows you to interact with so many people you otherwise wouldn't have. You end up learning a lot about yourself, and I think that is the best experience of all.
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