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  4. Emily Pan

I Am a Researcher

Emily PanEmily Pan

Major: Bioengineering: Biotechnology

College: Sixth

UC San Diego graduation year: 2027

Which research programs/experiences have you been a part of? 

Regents Scholars Research Initiative (RSRI), 2023

Undergraduate Research Conference, 2024

Goldwater Scholarship, 2026

What are you researching (or did you do in the past)?

As an undergraduate researcher in Dr. Prashant Mali’s lab at UCSD, I have worked on two main projects. The first project I contributed to was a genome-scale CRISPR screen to study genotype-phenotype relationships in human induced pluripotent stem cells, where I worked on downstream validation of gene expression. The second project I am working on is developing molecular tools to study protein-protein interactions relevant to tumorigenesis and immunotherapy. I helped develop a protein assay to monitor protein interaction in living cells that is contributing to a high-throughput screen to identify potential novel drug candidates. 

Why and how did you decide to get involved in undergraduate research?

I have always been drawn to research for its collaborative and interdisciplinary nature. It is incredibly rewarding to apply concepts I’ve learned in my courses to my research, find a community of scholars passionate about science, and work on a project with potential real-world implications. I was fortunate to join Dr. Mali’s lab in my freshman year through RSRI, and I have had the pleasure of working in his lab ever since. 

Emily Pan Lab Photo

What has been the most exciting/interesting thing you've discovered through your research?

I have been researching protein interactions in the Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA (ADAR) proteins, which have been shown to be upregulated in cancer cells. It’s been exciting to identify and characterize ADAR interactions in a live cell context through developing a bioluminescent resonance energy transfer protein assay that is now being used to identify potential drug targets. To me, it has been very rewarding to work on a project that could potentially lead to the development of new therapeutics.  

What did you gain from this program/experience?

Through these opportunities, I have gained valuable skills in experimental design, science communication, and independence as a researcher. I am also grateful for the opportunities to conduct summer research and present at conferences, which have allowed me to travel and connect with researchers from across the country. 

What advice would you give to students starting research?

One piece of advice I would share is to encourage students pursuing research to consider sharing their work and present at conferences. There are so many opportunities to get involved here at UCSD, such as through the annual undergraduate research conference. Science communication is incredibly valuable in so many aspects, and it can be a very fun and rewarding opportunity to share your research and connect with like-minded scholars! The materials I put together for presentations/poster sessions were also very valuable in helping me in my Goldwater scholarship application later on.  

What are your future plans?

In the future I am hoping to pursue an MD, and I have a particular interest in pediatrics. I also hope to continue pursuing my passion for research during my gap year, in medical school, and beyond. 

Anything else you want to share?

I think that mentorship is such an important part of learning and growing as a researcher, and I am incredibly grateful to all of the mentors I have been lucky enough to meet over the years. I would like to especially thank Dr. Artis and Dr. Tsai Neri from the Undergraduate Research Hub for all of their support throughout the Goldwater application process. I am also happy to support any future scholars looking to apply to Goldwater or just want to chat about research! Feel free to reach out to me at e2pan@ucsd.edu.  

  • Emily Pan Profile
  • Emily Pan Research