Research Ambassadors
Pranayaa Krishnakumar '27
Email me at: pkrishn4@u.rochester.edu
Discipline(s) of Research
- Life Sciences
Major(s) and Minor(s)
- B.S. in Neuroscience
- Minor in Psychology
Areas of Interest/Research Focus
Dr. Collynn Woeller's Lab at Flaum Eye Institute
I study receptor interactions involved in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), with a focus on understanding how key receptors are connected to each other and contribute to disease signaling.
Areas where I may be particularly helpful
- Summer Grant applications
- Interview preparation
- Cold emailing and reaching out to PIs
- Poster preparation and presentations
- Lab/medical center tours
- Research schedule and time management
What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?
When choosing a lab, I would recommend looking beyond just the research topic or techniques being used. The people you work with and the mentorship you receive can have a major impact on your research experience. Research is a great opportunity to build strong relationships with mentors, so it is important to find a lab environment that aligns with your goals and where you feel supported.
It is also important not to feel discouraged when working alongside people who have significantly more research experience. Many of the people around you have spent years developing their knowledge and skills. Instead of comparing yourself to them, use their experience as an opportunity to ask questions, learn, and gradually build confidence as a researcher.