Research Ambassadors
Alexia Hodowanec ‘27
Email me at: ahodowan@u.rochester.edu
Discipline(s) of Research
- Life sciences
Major(s) and Minor(s)
- BS in Neuroscience
Areas of Interest/Research Focus
Under the guidance of Dr. Olga Astapova in the Astapova Lab at URMC, I have spent the last year assisting in experiments studying the molecular mechanisms of reproductive and metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using a mouse model. I recently ended my research internship under Dr. Ting Du’s Lab at URMC where my experiments focused to elaborate the physiology of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid clearance from the brain.
Areas where I may be particularly helpful
Interview skills, cold-emailing research labs/PIs, and finding areas of interest and passion in research.
What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?
While finding research experience opportunities in itself is difficult, I would advise other students to also remember that this is their experience as well. It’s important to emphasize your interest areas in research, even if they don’t necessarily align with your major. Getting any exposure to research was important to me, but I found my love for research when I advocated for myself and my personal passions outside of what I thought I needed to do.