What years did you participate in UROP?

2016-2017

What UROP Program(s) were you a part of?

Traditional UROP as a First Year (Health Sciences Discipline)

What made you choose UROP?

I chose UROP because it was a great opportunity to get started on research and provided endless resources for students. I knew scientific research was definitely a field I wanted to pursue and UROP made my first experience in research awesome!

 

What do you think you have learned from your UROP experience?

I've learned a lot from my UROP experience. In a professional sense, I definitely was able to communicate with my mentor more effectively. I also learned how to time manage my tasks, which is very important in order to be successful in undergrad overall. I was also able to learn how to present my resume, as well as a research poster at the end of the year symposium.

What is the extent to which you have kept in contact with your Research Mentor?

I have kept up with my research mentor once in a while, but she definitely has always been open in helping me whenever I needed a recommendation or even tips in pursuing my career goals.

How did your UROP experience shape or inform the next steps you took in your academic and professional journey?

After UROP, I took the skills I learned and was able to join a research lab for the next 3 years of my undergrad career.

Where are you in your professional journey?

I am currently a research assistant at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute. I'm doing a lot of research regarding the role that neural stem cells play in Alzheimer's Disease.

What advice would you give to a current UROP student?

I would say that UROP is definitely something you should go through with because even though you may discover that research might not be for you, you also are able to learn a lot of professional skills that will carry over for the rest of your life.