Researcher of the Week: Brandon Young

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:07:09 -0400

When and how did you find out that you could do independent research work as a UMBC undergraduate?
Well, coming to UMBC I knew that there were plenty of undergraduate research opportunities for interested students. All it was going to take was sifting through the opportunities and pursuing the ones that were extremely enticing. I began looking for research laboratories in my freshman year and eventually I found the perfect fit.

How did you find a mentor and decide on a project? How did you know this was the project you wanted to do?
My principal investigator Dr. Janice Zengel has been one of my most influential mentors here at UMBC and it is thanks to her that my ambition was able to turn into actual research. When I first joined Dr. Zengel’s laboratory she helped me to develop my own project that I would be able to work on during my undergraduate research career. I currently work on this project independently with the guidance of Dr. Zengel.

What academic background did you have before you started on this research?
I started working in this laboratory the second semester of my freshman year so my class background was just really some introductory science classes. However, I believe my excitement and ambition towards science really helped me to solidify my spot in this research laboratory.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
I believe that anything can be achieved through hard work and if you truly feel that getting involved in research is something that you want to do then you should pursue the opportunities that are offered. It is never too early to position yourself for an even better future.

What are your career goals?
I eventually plan on receiving my MD/PhD and I am particularly interested in the fields of cardiology and oncology.

Read more about Brandon's research, "The Functional Analyses of a Mutated Tentacle within the L4 Protein" at the link below.