“You can never run out of things to study”—Cesiah Gomez ’22 Pursues Real-Life Neuroscience in the Tetel Lab
On the door to Lab 325 in the Science Center, there is a Sesame Street-themed sign with Bert and Ernie on it that says “Tetel Lab,” and just beyond it, neuroscience major Cesiah Gomez ’22 uses a pen-like device to extract DNA swab samples, which she places in small, plastic tubes organized neatly on a red tray. Since this summer, theTetel Lab.一直是戈麦斯的工作空间Beckman Scholars Program, a highly selective research experience for undergraduate students across the country who excel in science. The scholars receive stipends for two summers and one academic year; at Wellesley, the funding can support up to four students per year. Gomez is one of 22 Wellesley students who have been named scholars since 1997. Here, she talks about her journey to becoming a Beckman Scholar, working alongside Marc Tetel, Dorothy and Charles Jenkins, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience, during this unique hands-on experience, and her hopes for the future.
Why did you apply to be a Beckman Scholar?
Cesiah Gomez'22.:I thought it would be a great opportunity to be a part of a long-term research project as a student—I liked the idea of being able to contribute to something for more than a couple of months. I also was interested in doing a thesis in my senior year, and the possibility of getting funds to support that work reinforced my interest in applying. Looking at the Beckman program’s website and seeing how scholars are supported by the Beckman Foundation network was also something that hooked me in.
What is the focus of your research and project?
戈麦斯：When I submitted my proposal, I had the intention of participating in the continuation of a pilot study with Professor Tetel that started in the spring of 2021. This pilot, led byKalpana博士Acharya是，他的实验室的博士后研究人员研究了菊粉，一种纤维，一种高脂饮食诱导的女性小鼠体重增加的影响。我们今年夏天分析了这项实验的许多数据。令人惊讶的是，我们没有得到我们预期的结果，因此需要转移齿轮。作为本研究和我们的研究结果的延续，我们开始了一个新的项目，该项目看起来对小鼠阴道微生物组的影响以及阴道和肠道微生物组成之间是否存在相关性。
What has been your favorite part of this experience?
戈麦斯：My favorite part of my work so far has been being able to see a research project through from start to finish, and learning how to plan and modify experiments as they are going on. Professor Tetel fosters a supportive environment for learning in the lab, and has connected me with amazing people like Dr. Acharya, who has helped me learn many new skills, as well as collaborators at the Mayo Clinic. This has been an invaluable opportunity to connect different perspectives and connect with new mentors. Professor Tetel’s mentorship, along with that of others , has led me to be able to lead this new project of my own. This is not something I ever expected to do in undergrad! Nothing really ever goes exactly as expected, and that always keeps things interesting.
这项经验中最具挑战性的部分是什么？
戈麦斯：其中一个挑战一直在学习神经内科学领域的术语，以及在阅读与我们的研究相关的领域的文献中进行（小）凹陷。可以难以消化数据和方法的新可视化，但我对其他实验室成员以及教授Tetel和Acharya博士的支持。
您与您的重大关系有何变化？
戈麦斯：I’ve learned that there is a vast amount of research that can be done within neuroscience, and even within the subfield of neuroendocrinology. It really feels like you can never run out of things to study, which keeps my curiosity going. I always knew I wanted to study medicine in the future and conduct health policy research, but through my lab experience, I’ve learned that I’d like to continue doing research in conjunction with my career in the future.
What’s next for you?
戈麦斯：The program is a guaranteed two summers and one academic year of research with funding, so my plans are to continue my work the summer after I graduate! Having an opportunity ready to go is great, and I’m grateful for the longevity of the project as it gives me an idea about what field I might want to pursue a research position in for my gap year before pursuing medical school. One thing that drew me in about the Tetel Lab and this project is that it emphasizes women’s health and the specific effects in females, which have been historically excluded from clinical trials. I think that really translates to my future goals of highlighting inequities in health care for minoritized groups, and finding a way to create more comprehensive care for these groups.
