Meet Tali

Hometown: San Jose, CA
 

College: Barnard College, Class of 2013

Seattle BioMed Mentor: Dr. Don Sodora

Reason for Pursuing Research: I am interested in studying the human body and its functions. The human body is a common entity through which we all experience the world around us. Infectious disease research explores the mechanisms of diseases that affect bodily function, in order to discover new knowledge. I am especially excited about participating in infectious disease research because it may lead to new prevention and treatment techniques that improve the lives of individuals around the world.  

Global Health Internship Goals: This summer I would like to learn about the field of immunology and experience working full time as a researcher at a non-profit organization. In addition, I hope to learn specific lab techniques, such as qPCR and flow cytometry. I hope that this internship can help me choose a focus to pursue in graduate school.   

Other Summer Plans: Before joining Seattle BioMed, I spent three weeks in Denmark taking a course about “Public Health in Northern Europe” with the Danish Institute for Study Abroad. I learned that there is much room for improvement in the American health-care system! While in Seattle, I am excited to explore the city with my sister, who is a graduate student at UW.  

Best Lab Experience This Week: For the past few weeks I have been busy working with my mentor, Dr. Heather Jaspan, evaluating the effect of BCG vaccination on cytokine expression in infants. Yesterday we finished collecting all of our Real-Time-PCR data and will now begin analyzing data. I am learning how to choose appropriate statistical tests and make graphs using Prism software. Last week I also enjoyed a few field trips, attending lectures at the Institute for Systems Biology and seeing James Watson speak at the UW. I feel very lucky to be at Seattle BioMed and in Seattle, a true hub of global health.