Mentor’s Name and Department: Dr. Adam Rich, Biology
Major and Class Year: Biology, Medical Technology Class of 2028
Long-term Goals: Pursue a MD/PhD combining clinical practice with medical research. I aspire to become a dermatologist using both patient care and research to advance treatments.
Project Description:
As a small-town girl from Nepal, pursuing scientific research was never something I thought would be possible. But this summer, through the SURP, I found myself in a lab, studying the role of Ano1 gene in regulation of GI tract in zebrafish. This experience is deeply personal because my grandfather dreamed of becoming a researcher, but never got the chance. Now, by working in the lab, asking scientific questions, and contributing to medical knowledge, I’m carrying his dream forward. Every experiment I do is not just for my own future but also a tribute to dreams he once held- and a sign that even someone from small town from Nepal can make a real impact in science.
My project focuses on how Ano1 affects gastrointestinal (GI) motility -the wave-like movements that push food through the digestive tract—using zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish are great research models because their transparent bodies let us watch their GI tract in real time under the microscope. I compare gut movements between normal and genetically modified fish lacking Ano1. Since this gene also exists in humans, our findings could help improve treatments for GI disorders like IBS or chronic constipation.
What is the most significant experience from your research?
This research is my first real step toward becoming a dermatologist. It taught me patience, discipline, resilience, and excitement of discovery. Most of all, it’s shown me that even from small town in Nepal, you can dream big and make a difference- one experiment at a time.
This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Brockport Foundation.