I AM A RESEARCHER
Noura Mohamed
Major: Chemistry & Biochemistry
Brief summary of your research:
My project at Schöneberg Lab focuses on epilepsy. Those with drug-resistant epilepsy are directed to the ketogenic diet, which consists of eating primarily fat and protein, and limiting carb consumption. A single lip in the food regimen renders the patient at a substantially higher risk of having a seizure, seen as a general rise in the number of seizures per day, as well as in seizure severity. Adults, much less children, will find it difficult to adhere to such a rigid lifestyle. My project's purpose is to figure out how β-hydroxybutyrate, the major metabolite in the ketogenic diet, protects against epileptic pathology, such as those caused by mutations in the OPA1 and SCNA1 genes.
What got you interested in doing undergraduate research at UC San Diego? When did you
start?
Growing up in the Middle East, I was obsessed with this horror series by an Egyptian author. It was my first book to read, at least the first one not produced by Disney, and with no pictures in it. The main character (and the real author) was a physician who also taught at the school of medicine, Cairo University. So he used to pepper his stories with so many interesting facts about science, scientists, and the human body. I became so fascinated to the point where I could no longer picture any version of my future that didn’t involve science. We came to the U.S. after I finished high school, so I had to go to community college. Nevertheless, I started looking for research schools right away, and had no doubt in my mind that I was going to do whatever it took, so that one day I could come to know and learn something that no one else knew, and would get to share this knowledge. UCSD is one of the major research schools in the U.S., and I think an important part of being an undergraduate here is to take advantage of all the resources that UCSD has to offer as far as research. Not only because you might find something you’re passionate about, but also because the experience and the connections you make will help you achieve so much more.I started looking for research opportunities as soon as I joined UCSD, but wasn’t fortunate enough to find one until my junior year. What got my foot through the door was an undergraduate summer research program - TRELS (Tritons Research and Experiential Learning Scholars).
What interested you in the project(s)?
When I first started doing undergraduate research, I worked mainly in enzymology. This first experience was a lot of fun, and as I learned more about science and various methods to do research I started asking myself: what captivates my interest? What questions am I curious about the most? I was really interested in research that translated into patient care and human health. At the same time I had so many questions about the ketogenic pathway since my first biochemistry course. I started looking for labs that were more on the clinical side - those affiliated with the school of medicine or Skaggs pharmacy school, here at UCSD. Sadly I couldn’t find a lab where those two intersected. Fortunately, I ended up interviewing with a former professor of mine, Dr. Johannes Schöneberg, with a research proposal on the ketogenic pathway. Amazingly, Schöneberg Lab, at the time, was about to start a project on epilepsy, focusing specifically on the ketogenic diet! It was like a dream come true. Epilepsy affects the lives of millions of adults and children, and at the same time I get to tackle some of the questions I’m most curious about. I’ve been at the lab for eight months now, six of which as part of the Faculty Mentor Program (FMP), under Dr. Schöneberg.
What has excited you about research?
I think what excites me most about being in the lab, and doing research is that moment when I’m finally able to see the big picture. I think a lot of researchers would agree that data analysis is a tedious part in the scientific process. My favorite steps are designing and carrying out the experiments, for example, culturing my cells, designing gRNAs, waiting on the images for a western blot confirmation, and the list goes on. However, once I have concluded data analysis, there’s that one moment where I get to make a graph, and figure out what the data is trying to tell me, that moment takes the crown. Then getting so excited about what it has to say, and checking if it’s statistically significant. Additionally, I really appreciate the lab’s environment, which promotes learning, and I benefit a lot from Dr. Schöneberg’s mentoring style, modeled after Growth Mindset. The overall project, I’m currently working on, takes time, maybe years, and I don’t know for a fact that at the end we will be able to help the millions afflicted with epilepsy, but the possibility of doing that is worth it, and in the meantime, I get to do everything in my power to make sure we end up helping them.
What do you plan to do after you graduate?
After graduation, I intend to go to grad school, either for a MDPhD or aPhD program, to seek the opportunity to continue my research. Ideally this will take place here at UCSD.
How will this experience help you reach your future goals?
I’m split between joining an MDPhD program and doing a PhD in chemistry. Either way, my undergraduate research experience will be of great help. Dr. Gulcin Pekkurnaz, who was my faculty mentor during TRELS summer program, as well as Dr. Johannes Schöneberg, my current faculty mentor and PI for FMP, are two of my letter writers for whichever program I decide to go into (MDPhD or PhD). Moreover, when I join one of these programs I will come with valuable experience, for example , designing an experiment, and communicating science effectively. But it is more than that - science is truly a team effort cultivating relationships with your colleagues, and developing the set of professional skills required for collaboration is also an essential part.
What would you tell someone who is thinking, but isn't sure, about doing undergraduate research?
Undergraduate research is especially ideal for those who are uncertain about their future career goals. This is your chance to find out. Research is one of those things where theory and application are very different. I have thought about science and experiments since I can remember, but being in the lab and actually doing research was nothing like I imagined - in the best possible way. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the only way to know for sure if you want to do research - is to do research! If you do a research project for a quarter and you find out it’s not your thing, then you didn’t really lose anything. At the very least you will form connections with faculty mentors who will later support you in whatever you decide to do next. But on the other hand, if research does turn out to be your thing, and you decide later to join a graduate, or professional program, those research experiences will set you apart from every other applicant, and will open many doors for you.