AUTISM RESEARCH
Computational Analysis of Autism-Associated Genetic Mutation on the Interaction Between Neurexin and Neuroligin
Published in Volume 6, Issue 1 of the International Journal of High School Research.
DOI:https://terra-docs.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/IJHSR/Articles/volume6-issue1/IJHSR_2024_61_83.pdf
DOI:https://terra-docs.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/IJHSR/Articles/volume6-issue1/IJHSR_2024_61_83.pdf
Inspired by “my kids” from themusic therapy programI volunteer at, I developed a fascination with the biological originations for neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, I pursued an original research project with my mentor, Dr. Yinghao Wu from Albert Einstein School of Medicine. In the project, I analyzed synaptic protein family Neurexin-1’s role in neurodevelopmental disorders by using the binding of Neurexin-1 and its ligand Neuroligin-1 to determine genetic mutations affecting the receptor-ligand binding and their effect on bond strength and their effect on the development of disorders such as Autism. This project is very important to me because of how long I’ve spent working with families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. There’s nothing more fulfilling than directly being able to make a difference in their lives through research.
COLUMBIA INTERNSHIP
To pursue my interest in neuroscience, I worked at Columbia University Irving Medical Center as a paid research intern in the Neurosurgery department for 6 weeks in the summer of 2023.
I developed and spearheaded a new initiative aimed to educate the Washington Heights and surrounding community on common neurological and spinal diseases, which was an incredibly fulfilling way to spend my summer.
In addition to this, I attended lab meetings from the Cannoll/Bruce Brain Tumor Lab, Konofagou Lab, Chan Spine Lab, and many more, which only affirmed my passion for neuroscience and its intricacies.
I also interned in a medical imaging program with Dr. Jiang Du at the University of California San Diego, specializing in brain imaging techniques with an emphasis on neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders in the summer of 2022.