Research Ambassadors
Maria Ahmed ‘26
Email me at: mahmed18@u.rochester.edu
Discipline(s) of Research
- Life sciences
Major(s) and Minor(s)
- BS in Biochemistry
- Minor in Business
Areas of Interest/Research Focus
I have been in Dr. Sina Ghaemmaghami's lab in the Department of Biology since the summer of 2023, when I joined through the Chemistry in Medicine REU program. My research since then has centered around using mass spectrometry-based proteomics to study post-translational modifications and cellular responses to oxidative stress, with a particular focus on methionine oxidation. My goal is to apply my findings to further our understanding of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Areas where I may be particularly helpful
- Schwartz Discover Grant application writing
- REU application writing
- Touring the lab and learning about the biology department
- Finding/applying to conferences
- Reaching out to professors to find research on campus
- Finding external research programs
- General personal statement writing/application tips
What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?
My advice to prospective or new researchers is to set realistic goals and expectations early on and always take a shot at any opportunities that come your way. In my experience, research can be very stressful when you think that everything will work out the first time. Just remember that mistakes and failures are part of the process! And that goes for scholarship/fellowship/research program applications as well. So just keep trying your best and remember that this time is mostly for you to learn and develop skills that you can use wherever you go in the future.