Alisha Poudel
Hi, I'm Alisha!
I'm an incoming senior in Eleanor Roosevelt College. I am majoring in Neuroscience and Physiology.
UR Program Participation
Undergraduate Research Scholarship as a Julia Brown Scholar (2020 Summer Research Program)
Area of Research
I am working on Space Physiology and Orthopaedics in Hargens Lab. I have mostly worked with Lower Body Negative Pressure machines and Lower Body Positive Pressure machines.
Why did you decide to get involved in undergraduate research?
I have always believed in the power and need of research. Research provides one with a creative way of thinking and allows us students to explore new methods of problem solving.
How did you get your start?
After applying to countless labs and internships, I started working in a lab. Although I was very intrigued by the scientific methods I was learning, I soon realized that I did not see myself exploring that field in the future. Around the same time, I started learning about space and how astronauts adjust to the new space environment.
I couldn't stop myself from contacting a lab in UCSD that worked in this field. Dr. Hargens responded back the same evening and called me for an interview.
How have you been affected by COVID?
My summer project got changed to adjust according to the virtual work policies. My research plans have been greatly impacted, but I am aware that it is a privilege to be safe and working on something I love during a pandemic and global economic crisis.
How are you being innovative in order to continue to continue doing research?
I have been able to build a smoother online communication within our lab to complete all the virtual work such as data analysis, publications, manuscript revision etc to be done.
What are your future plans?
I aspire to be useful to this world. I understand that the Health sector requires a lot of fresh workforce and I am passionate about helping people. I am also very excited about Space Physiology. So I am planning on working on research and Healthcare as a physician.
Apply to a UR Program!
Are you interested in undergraduate research and/or scholarship opportunities like this one? Contact UR to learn more.
Contact Us