Meet Ethan from SURF! | OURS Student Spotlight
Ethan Xie (2027) | Molecular and Cell Biology Ethan is a SURF L&S scholarship recipient, majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and working with mentor Roberto Zoncu, a professor in the Molecular Therapeutics Division. For his SURF project this summer, Ethan is investigating why brain cells break down in certain diseases by focusing on the cell’s “master control center,” or mTOR. By examining mTOR regulation and a protein called VPS13C, which delivers healthy fatty acids to the brain, we may learn whether VPS13C can potentially help protect the brain from […]
Meet Pooja from SURF! | OURS Student Spotlight
Pooja Sameet Agarwal (2027) | Molecular and Cell Biology, Computer Science For her SURF project, Pooja used deep learning tools to better understand genetic variants connected to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). By studying how these variants may affect important gene-regulating proteins, her research helps shed light on mutations that are still not well understood. This work could support a better understanding and diagnosis of ASD in the future. How did your research question or process change over the course of the summer? My project pivoted to become an independent model […]
Meet Ava from SURF! | OURS Student Spotlight
Ava Ratcliff (2026) | Greek and Latin, Comparative Literature For her SURF project, Ava studied Catullus 64, a short Latin epic poem often discussed for its influence on later works like Virgil’s Aeneid. Rather than focusing mainly on how the poem connects to other classical texts, her research explored how Catullus 64 works on its own through its structure, language, and imagery. In particular, she became interested in the poem’s surprising representations of trees and the natural world, opening up new ways of thinking about environment, art, and human emotion […]
Meet Matthew from SURF! | OURS Student Spotlight
Matthew Martinez (2026) | Sociology Matthew Martinez’s SURF project examines the gap between corporate promises of workplace wellness and the lived realities of retail workers. Focusing on major corporations, his research explores how race, class, and job precarity shape access to mental health resources and work-life balance initiatives. Through a systematic literature review, Matthew challenges dominant narratives about corporate well-being programs and highlights structural inequalities within the retail industry. How did your research question or process change over the course of the summer? During my summer research, my question took […]