Researcher of the Week: Sanjana Srimath

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:54:36 -0500

Sanjana Srimath is a senior Biological Sciences (B.S.) major with a minor in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology graduating in December 2025. She is a member of the Honors College and a Merck Fellow.

Mentors: Dr. Daniel Lobo (PI) and Dr. Andrew Wolff

Title of your research project: Integrating Gene Ontology Enrichment and Expression Profiling to Understand the Genetic Mechanisms of Planarian Fissioning

Describe your project: In my project, I study how planarian worms form fission planes - the locations where they split to reproduce asexually. Although planarians are well known for their incredible regenerative abilities, the genetic mechanisms that guide fissioning are still unclear. To investigate this, I use a systems biology approach that combines RNA-seq data, computational pipelines, and gene ontology enrichment analysis. I built scripts that automatically retrieve GO annotations, filter differentially expressed genes, and identify biological processes and molecular functions that are specifically enriched during fission. I also analyze how these genes behave across the anterior-posterior axis by generating expression profile plots for both fissioning and non-fissioning worms. Together, this helps me identify potential candidate genes and understand how they fit into a larger regulatory network that may control fission behavior. Ultimately, my work contributes to a framework for uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind planarian fissioning.

How did you find this research opportunity? I found this research opportunity by cold emailing Dr. Lobo after my first year at UMBC. At the time, I was doing neurobiology wet lab work at UMSOM but wanted to shift toward computational and systems biology to align with my minor. After meeting with Dr. Lobo, I joined the lab and began working under my mentor, Dr. Andrew Wolff, who has guided me through both wet lab and computational research. The lab has been incredibly supportive, which made my transition into computational work much smoother and helped me grow as both a learner and a researcher.

What was the hardest or most unexpected part about your research? The hardest part of my research was transitioning from the wet lab to the computational aspect, especially learning to write scripts in programming languages like Python and R. I also found presenting my work challenging at first, since effectively communicating data in posters required a different set of skills than lab work. I didn't set high expectations for whether I would lead my own project or assist my mentor, but this experience has taught me how to work independently while benefiting from the incredible support of Dr. Lobo, Dr. Wolff, and other lab members. So far, I've shared my research through multiple poster presentations at both URCAD and ABRCMS, which helped me improve both my scientific communication and presentation skills. I was also honored to receive a poster award at ABRCMS in San Antonio in November 2025, which made it rewarding to see my hard work pay off.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research? One of my favorite quotes is, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" (Nelson Mandela). My advice to other students is to stay persistent and don't be afraid to reach out to PIs, even if it feels intimidating at first. Research is full of challenges and mistakes, but each setback is a learning opportunity. Work towards small, achievable goals and take time to appreciate the progress you make along the way. I also encourage exploring different areas - like wet lab, computational, clinical, etc. - so you can discover what facet truly excites you!

What are your career goals? I aspire to become a physician. After graduating from UMBC, I plan to apply to and attend medical school, where I hope to combine my passion for science, research, and patient care to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.