Corinne Fargo (Photo: Hannah O’Leary)
Junior in Biochemistry and Biophysics and the University Honors College from Woodinville, Washington
Accomplishment: She is developing standard laboratory Fusarium strains that are defective in specific genes. These strains will be used to aid in genetic analyses of Fusarium gene silencing mutants.
Career goal: To become a medical doctor
Most important thing she learned: “You have to think 10 steps ahead of your goal. I’m creating complete new genomes. No big deal. It’s really exciting and fun.”
Phuong Pham (Photo: Hannah O’Leary)
Senior in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Portland
Accomplishment: He is testing the influence of the kmt6 protein complex on gene expression in Fusarium.
Career goal: To become a medical doctor and an Army medic
Most important thing he learned: Understanding how gene silencing helps us get new antibiotics and could help cure diseases. “I was very glad to get to work here. This lab helped me through difficult times. Michael is an awesome professor. I can’t stress that enough.”
Xiao Lan Chang (Photo: Hannah O’Leary)
Senior in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Portland
Accomplishment: Created transformed and mutant Fusarium strains in studying proteins that exert control over gene expression.
Career goal: To be a medical doctor
Most important thing she learned: “Retracing your steps and really understanding them. In class, things happen that you expect. In lab, surprises happen and you have to work backwards to figure them out.”
