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I came in with ~3.5 years reseach experience, prior to attending UCLA, working in a gene mapping lab at Cedars Sinai, earning a Molecular Biology Fellowship at UPenn, working in an AIDS and breast cancer research labs at UCLA. So far I’ve been co-author on 3 papers, 2 abstracts and multiple presentations. Currently, I’m in a Proteomics lab doing 2D & 3D NMR, gathering and analyzing protein crystal structure data. It’s essentially a graduate level project. Hopefully in the next year and a half, I’ll have my first author publication with the NMR project.</p>
<p>Most undergrads start from the bottom, but I’ve been lucky 'cause I’ve always had my own projects even when I first began lab work. Many of the basic molecular bio techniques I initially learned, I taught myself by reading lots and screwing up many an experiment <em>LOL</em> When it was time for me to take lower div Physics, Chem and Bio classes, it was a breeze since I had the advantage of having already applied theory into practical situations.</p>
<p>I’ve seen plenty of undergrads going in and out from the various labs I’ve been in, with many not lasting more than 6-12 months for whatever reason(s). The majority only stay transiently so they can eventually put something on their resum</p>