Researcher of the Week: Sonia Dalal

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:36:51 -0500

How did you find your mentor for your research?
As a freshman entering UMBC, I hoped to pursue cancer research and learn related laboratory techniques. I read about professors’ research in the Biological Sciences Department and then emailed professors about research I was interested in. The Meyerhoff Scholarship Program helped me to get involved in research as early as the first summer after my freshman year and I have been working in Dr. Rosenberg’s Laboratory ever since.

How did you know this was the project you wanted to do?
Since I have a strong interest in focusing my future research endeavors on cancer biology and related fields, this project fit into my goals perfectly.

Is this your first independent research?
Though I had some research experience with NASA in high school, this was my first independent research project. It proved to be very fulfilling as I was able to learn many of the basic and advanced laboratory techniques necessary for a competent scientist.

Do you get course credit for this work?
Yes, I receive two or three pass/fail credits per semester.

How much time do you put into it?
Working on my research excited me and I put in about 15-20 hours per week during the academic year. During the summer and winter breaks I spent about 40 hours per week in the lab.

What has been the hardest part about your research?
Before working in Dr. Rosenberg's laboratory I believed that research was "black and white." I learned that research requires accepting many failed experiments. Working in the Rosenberg laboratory has allowed me to learn that although failure is a part of research, it will be overcome with experience. I have also learned how to work with graduate students and post doctoral researchers in a competitive and fast-paced environment.

What are your career goals?
I hope to pursue a M.D./Ph.D. due to my strong desire to perform research and identify solutions that benefit people.

Read more about Sonia's research here...