Our Undergraduate Research Peer Leaders are here to help you! These STEM undergraduates have a year or more of research experience as well as training through the WISCIENCE Peer Leader program.
Angela Pescatore
"I’m a junior majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology. My work as a research assistant focuses on the effect of certain treatments on cellular metabolism, and how those treatments can affect age-related diseases in general."
Elise Moreira
"I am a junior majoring in Neurobiology with certificates in Folklore and Athletic Healthcare. I currently run the Chaos Department at the Laryngeal Physiology Lab (The Voice Lab). Dr. Jack Jiang and our team research voice disorders and irregularities apart from the modal talking voice. A fun fact about myself is that I visited 2 national parks this summer and now want to see as many as possible!"
Brock Peyton
"I am a sophomore studying Biochemistry and German. My research endeavors have been incredibly rewarding. I began my research experience my freshman year in the Anderson Laboratory, focusing on how metabolic disturbances lead to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. I also spent the summer researching novel RNA labeling techniques in human ears at the Otopathology Laboratory of Mass Eye and Ear. Outside of the lab, I enjoy running, reading, and spending good time with friends."
Qamryn Ross
“I am currently a junior majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and Information Sciences. I began doing clinical research under my mentor my sophomore year, and I will continue to do so until I graduate. Most of my work has been centered on the epidemiology of infectious diseases in immunocompromised patient populations. A fun fact about me is that I am on the Wisconsin Cheerleading team!"
Young Son
"I am a senior majoring in Biology with a certificate in Leadership. I have been working in the Evolutionary Genetics lab since my junior year. My current research project focuses on the impact of the mutation on fitness and the mechanism of evolution with the yeast model. One of the fun facts about myself is that I love baking!"
Lily Peters
"I am a senior majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology. I have been involved in neurological research at Zhao Lab since my sophomore year. My work as a research assistant aims to identify deficits in Fragile X Syndrome neurodevelopment using patient-derived cortical organoids as a 3-dimensional model. Research involvement has been one of the highlights of my college experience. Using the biological principles I have learned in the classroom to explore my intellectual curiosities has been incredibly fulfilling. A fun fact about me is that I love to bake (ask me about my sourdough!)!"
Ethan Lin
"I am a junior majoring in Microbiology. I have been involved in cancer research since my freshman year here. My focus is on pancreatic cancer and leveling patient-derived organoids and time course microscopy to capture the residual viability after exposure to standard-of-care chemotherapies. I have had the opportunity to present my work at a national-level symposium and published my first paper. Undergraduate research has been a core part of my development as a student as it has not only given me the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom but also apply an inquisitive lens to datasets collected."
Krupa Patel
"I am a junior majoring in Biology with certificates in Global Health and Leadership. I have been part of Michelle Kimple's research lab in the VA for two years. We work on trying to understand the mechanisms behind insulin secretion, and how they are affected in the pathophysiological conditions of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, in order to translate these insights into new and improved diabetes therapeutics, preventing or even curing these lifelong diseases. A fun fact about me is that I did research abroad in Vienna, Austria in the summer of my sophomore year, where I studied diabetes and visited the United Nations headquarters!"
Loghan Holland
"I am a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Cello Performance. I have been involved in research around campus since the spring of my freshman year with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and recently completed a ten-week Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) internship at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. I am excited to continue my research in the Gillory Lab studying plant molecular biology and cell signaling. Following graduation, I intend to pursue a PhD in Plant Science, with a specific interest in exploring botanical studies in extreme environments, like those affected by rapid climate change, and plant response to extra-atmospheric settings."