Researcher of the week: Kelin Brace

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:51:16 -0400

When and how did you find out that you could do independent research work as a UMBC undergraduate?
Before coming to UMBC, I had heard on several different occasions that undergraduate research was very big on campus. As a Meyerhoff scholar, I was encouraged to find a mentor and carry out my own research.

How did you find a mentor and decide on a project? How did you know this was the project you wanted to do?
I had one of my teachers my as a mentor, and I requested to work with her because I enjoyed her in class and found her research interesting. We chose a project for me that would fit well into the lab's current work while still giving me enough independence to work on my own.

What academic background did you have before you started on this research?
Before starting my research I had taken the chemistry classes needed to have a basic understanding of our research. However, in my more advanced courses I am constantly learning things that apply to the research I am doing now.

How did you learn about applying for the Undergraduate Research Award? Was the application hard? Did your mentor help you?
My mentor suggested I apply for the URA. The application was not difficult, but my mentor did help me condense the scope of the whole project to the short application.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
The teachers at UMBC are very passionate about their research. If you are honestly interested in what they are doing, most people will be very happy to talk to you and maybe even let you join their lab.

What are your career goals?
I would like to pursue an MD/PhD degree upon graduation.

Read more about Kelin's research, “Synthesis of C-nucleosides and Their Biological Implications” at the link below.