In this panel discussion, student panelists will answer questions about working with faculty mentors, and provide attendees with their perspectives on this invaluable relationship.  This discussion will benefit students at any stage in their research involvement.

Undergraduate Research Leader Panelists (in order of the photo):

• Kishan Thambu
  Kishan is a senior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Chemistry. He has been involved with research in some capacity since his freshman year from bioinformatics to computational psychiatry.  Kishan hopes to continue doing computational-based research especially in psychiatry.  He is currently an OUR peer mentor focusing on presentations and publications.
• Kalista Leggitt
  Kalista is a junior, triple majoring in Biology, HSP (Health, Society, and Policy), and International Studies. For the past 3 years, she has found a passion in philosophy, particularly bioethics, and been a member of the Haber Bioethics Lab. Through this lab, she was able to publish her first research paper, and attend several research conferences, including one out of state. Her current research project focuses on the ethics of adolescent medical decision-making, and pediatric autonomy. She is currently an OUR Peer Mentor.
• Ali Nopper
  Ali is a senior double majoring in Chemistry and Biology. After finding a passion for chemistry through her major courses, Ali began conducting Organic Chemistry research as a part of the Roberts Lab since January 2023. Her research currently focuses on the functionalization of carbon-nitrogen bonds in small molecule synthesis.  Ali is currently an OUR peer mentor specializing in STEM and is pursuing a PhD in organic chemistry starting this fall.
• America Cox
  America is a senior double majoring in biology (ecology, evolution, environmental emphasis) and philosophy of science. She has worked with the Dentinger lab studying the evolutionary ecology of fungi since her freshman year through the ACCESS program. Since then, she has also completed an REU program at Harvard University where she spent the summer researching E. muscae fungal "zombie" parasitism. America is a current Undergraduate Research Leader with the OUR office in addition to continuing mycological research.

Facilitator:  Associate Dean Annie Fukushima, Office of Undergraduate Research

Panel Questions:

• What is your favorite part of doing research? If there was a memorable moment in research or an “aha” moment, tell us about it. 
  
• Research brings up feelings. Was there a time whether before doing research (so connecting with mentors) or while during research where you felt anxious, scared or intimidated. Tell us about it and what you did to overcome these feelings.   
  
• What is one piece of advice you would give students who are thinking of doing research with faculty?  
  

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