---

The Interview:

Karen:  Tell me how you got started in research at Stony Brook, and about your research journey on campus.

Divleen: My research at Stony Brook started out with iGEM. I applied during my freshman year, and it was a great experience because I got to work with mentors like Dr. Gergen. We worked on an amazing project that we then took to the international level at the Conference.

I also applied to an internship called Academic Associates that takes place in the Emergency Department at the hospital. As interns, we screen for patients in the Emergency Department for enrollment in different clinical studies. This is the start of my third year in the program, and I absolutely love it. I think it's such a great way to get involved in learning how clinical research in medicine works. You are also able to develop exceptional communication skills when you learn to explain studies to patients who have never heard about them before.

I have always known that I wanted to be more involved in research within a specialty that was of great interest to me in medicine and to get a head start before I started medical school. I’ve become very interested in plastic surgery -- an area that can change the quality of patients’ lives. Plastic surgery is unique in that you can individualize surgical treatment for every patient. Traumatic injuries can greatly affect patients’ daily living, and plastic surgeons can repair things like facial trauma, arm trauma, and burn injuries to help patients. Last year, I reached out to Grace Agnetti, the Assistant Dean for Admissions at Stony Brook Medicine and someone who is greatly involved with the Scholars for Medicine program. She connected me to plastic surgeons who connected me to Dr. Gurtej Singh who works very closely with Dr. Miriam Rafailovich and Dr. Marcia Simon through the VIP Stem Cell Engineering team. It was through VIP that I found such a great match to my research interests.

Our lab’s goal is to develop pre-vascularized tissue engineered skin grafts. We have had very successful results with the grafts in murine models. We are currently interested in decellularizing the grafts so that they can be eventually tested for use in humans. Thanks to URECA, I was able to be on campus and spend every week with the group, and I ended up traveling to a conference in September to present the work, showing the successful results of our grafts at the Plastic Surgery Meeting Conference in San Diego, CA. I presented in front of medical students, surgical residents, and accomplished surgeons. I recently received a “Best Abstract Presentation” award from the session that I presented in!

Congratulations! How would you say that being involved in research has complemented what you learn in classes?

Classes at Stony Brook move very fast, especially in laboratory classes. Research allows you to apply information you've learned in those labs and classes, learn it more deeply, and put it towards something like major projects that are the future of science. I learned how to make agarose gels in SBU lab classes, so when I did iGEM, I was able to apply those experiences and make gels almost every day for a month. The research that I'm involved in currently deals with cells and immune reactions. So much of what has prepared me for this work came from a course called Cancer Biology taught by Dr. Erster. I've mentioned what she had taught about immune pathways and angiogenesis in VIP meetings. Through research, I have understood the value of what I learned earlier in my classes.

You've mentioned many different involvements on campus. I wanted to give you the opportunity to comment on WISE and the Scholars for Medicine programs. How have these programs helped you as an undergraduate?

WISE was one of the best ways for me to get involved in and acclimated to campus. WISE is a great group of women in STEM. I made many friends through WISE, and many of the classes that I took prepared me for life beyond graduation, networking, and applying to jobs and internships. My advisors, Doreen Aveni and Jacquelyn Gatta, have helped me greatly, especially when it came to wanting to graduate early.

Scholars for Medicine has also been a great program. You're able to connect with so many professionals. Grace Agnetti helped me to network with professionals at the hospital. Through the program, students have been able to work with Dr. David Cohen, the Dean of Student Affairs, to take part in clinical workshops and gain advice. Knowing that you're going to be a part of the medical school motivates you to get to know the physicians and patients and to make connections. As a SFM student, I know that getting involved with the medical school early on will let me establish connections that will continue beyond my undergraduate years.

What would you say is your favorite part of the research experience in general?

My favorite part is being able to share the work that we do with others. When you're able to share the impact of your research with others and help them understand what you do, you can connect with them and explain the potential of your research. Sometimes, you’re able to spark interest in students and motivate them. I’ve experienced this with the students from my high school in NJ. I also enjoy talking to and connecting with professionals, physicians, or researchers who have much more experience than I do. At the conference I recently attended, I was able to learn many things from residents and medical students. Research has been a great way to make connections.

If you were talking to other undergraduates, what advice would you give them about undergraduate research?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional you are interested in working with. It is likely that you will get a response from them, and you might end up working with them and taking part in things that you never thought were possible.

I never thought I would be going to a conference that usually only medical students and physicians attend. I was one of the only undergraduates present. You never know what might come your way. So if you're interested in something, go for it. Stony Brook has so much to offer in terms of research, and I think there is something out there for everyone.

Can you talk a little bit about your mentors? How have they helped you in terms of your career path?

Dr. Miriam Rafailovich has been very influential in my path. Whenever I have questions, she always answers them. She is always eager to invite students to come and witness what goes on in the lab. She has introduced me to many individuals. Dr. Gurtej Singh has also been a great mentor. He gave me the opportunity to present at the conference in California, and I was able to win an award. Dr. Marcia Simon has so much experience with cell research, and learning from her is a great privilege. All of my mentors have been very influential.

Is there anything else you want to add about undergraduate research?

I believe that getting involved with research as early as possible allows one to build long-term connections and work on projects for a long time. All the work that you put in will be helpful in your future path. Thanks to my mentors and to their belief in me, I’ve been given great opportunities to grow and show my potential.