Victoria traveled to Baltimore, MD for the Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences at UMBC. Victoria traveled to the symposium to present her research and learn more about research fields in Biology and Chemistry from other student presentations. Victoria’s research was conducted with Dr. Whitty of the Chemistry Department and investigated the mechanism of activation of the RET receptor, a receptor protein kinase that is a potential drug target for neurodegenerative diseases.

Victoria presenting her research at the annual UROP symposium. She is pointing out her poster.
Victoria presenting her research at the annual UROP symposium.

Highlights from the trip were receiving one of the 2nd place awards for a poster presentation in Biochemistry, and being able to chat with students from other universities. I was able to grow as a presenter through the additional practice explaining my research to judges, and students unfamiliar with the work. I also learned how to approach people I don’t know and to ask questions about research I’m not familiar with.

Victoria with her poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences.
Victoria with her poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences.

 

For her travel, Victoria was sponsored by Dr. Adrian Whitty of the BMB Program and the Chemistry Department.

If you are a current Biology or BMB student interested in applying for a travel grant, the application is here.