Monica Madya ('25), a Biology major, conducted research on biomarkers of rare metabolic diseases with mentorship from Dr. Rebecca Ganetzky (Department of Pediatrics) and through the support of the Pincus-Magaziner Family Undergraduate Research Fund.
My research is focused on finding a biomarker of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle diseases, a group of rare metabolic diseases, to improve diagnostic accuracy and timeliness. This is especially important for rare diseases, where effects are debilitating and current diagnostic methods are insufficient. The Ganetzky lab focuses less on therapeutics and more on diagnostics, which I have come to learn is equally important. I was drawn to mitochondrial research because I had never heard of diseases that arose from errors in this organelle, so I wanted to expand my understanding. Many of the cells we study come from the patients of my PI, which also allows me to link clinical disease manifestations to findings and questions in the wet lab.
I'm grateful that my mentors in the lab are very knowledgeable, supportive, and patient. Everyone is very collaborative and always willing to answer questions, which has promoted a collaborative and enjoyable environment to work and learn in. Additionally, My PI, Dr. Ganetzky, encourages our curiosity and passionately exposes students to lesser known fields in medicine and research. Our weekly meetings are particularly helpful in not only troubleshooting my research but also in learning more about potential career paths I want to explore.
Conducting research has made me realize that it is something I want to continue for at least a few years after graduation, particularly in medical school. I enjoy the continuous learning process and have learned that there are always questions to be asked in every field, especially in niche and less popular areas. The collaborative nature of research has allowed for continuous feedback and constant sharing of knowledge, improving both my interpersonal and professional skills. Working in a lab focused on diagnostic medical research has further solidified my interest in looking for biomarkers in any future research I would participate in. It has been interesting to learn about the ways diseases manifest through multiple pathways in the body, and I hope to contribute more to the field of disease diagnostics and detection.
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