Meet Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, CMBS Summer Research Student

Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, a summer research student, smiles while wearing orange heat-resistant gloves and holding a tray that contains a beaker of hot liquid.

Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera came to UW–Madison to participate in the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress Summer Research Program organized by WISCIENCE. During this 10-week program, Alexia got hands-on research experience in the Fungal Interactions Lab while also learning about research careers and practicing science communication skills.

Alexia, who comes from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is majoring in microbiology at Interamerican University of Puerto Rico: Metro Campus. Outside of her studies, Alexia enjoys embroidery and listening to music.

Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, a summer research student, wears orange heat-resistant gloves while placing beaker of hot liquid in a machine in the lab.

Briefly, what is the research project you are working on right now? 
Investigating the possibility of a fitness trade-off imposed by Starships, which are the pioneers of horizontal gene transfer in fungi.

Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, a summer research student, stands at a lab bench, using a pipette.


What has been the most valuable part of your lab experience this summer?
The most valuable part of my lab experience this summer has been getting to make new connections with my lab members and learning and perfecting techniques in the lab.

Emile Gluck-Thaler, PI of the Fungal Interactions Lab, holds a petri dish up to the light while Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, a summer research student, stands next to him and looks at it.
Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera (left) works with Emile Gluck-Thaler (right), PI of the Fungal Interactions Lab.

How do you think your experience here will impact your goals for the future?
This experience has opened new doors for my career in research and furthermore, has given me newfound confidence in my career choice.  

Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, a summer research student, stands in the lab next to her mentor, Noah Brown, and PI, Emile Gluck-Thaler. All three are smiling at the camera.
Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera (center) with her mentor, Noah Brown (right) and PI, Emile Gluck-Thaler (left).

What advice would you give to future CMBS students?
To future CMBS students I will say to find a good balance between your work and your life. Make good connections and develop a good support system. This experience is really fun, but it also gives you good insight on what working in research actually looks like. It’s good to have people to talk to when things don’t always go how we expected.

Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera, a summer research student, stands next to her research poster with a group of four people, listening as a visitor asks her a question.
Alexia S. Meléndez Rivera presents her research at the CMBS Poster Session.

Learn more about the CMBS Summer Research Program.