The 2024 NSF-Simons NITMB Summer Undergraduate Research Program participants at the NITMB Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium 2024
“Without a doubt, this cohort was most certainly the driving highlight of my summer.”
Evan Gibbs, Undergraduate majoring in mathematics, York College of Pennsylvania
After a summer full of collaborative research, educational workshops, and making memories, the NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology concluded the inaugural Summer Undergraduate Research Program. On Friday, August 9th, the Institute hosted a research symposium to celebrate the achievements of 20 undergraduate researchers. This research symposium provided the NSF-Simons NITMB’s inaugural cohort of summer undergraduate researchers with the opportunity to share their accomplishments with colleagues, mentors, friends, and family. Utilizing skills gained from a science communication workshop, the undergraduates presented their efforts through presentations and poster sessions. While the symposium may have concluded their time in the NITMB Summer Undergraduate Research Program, the experience and connections gained will follow the undergraduates far into the future.
Leaving a lasting impact
Evan Gibbs, undergraduate majoring in mathematics, York College of Pennsylvania
The impact of the NITMB Summer Undergraduate Research program has inspired the undergraduates to explore new opportunities available at the intersection of mathematics and biology. Evan Gibbs is an undergraduate studying Mathematics at York College of Pennsylvania. Over the summer, Gibbs focused on learning the state-space of D. melanogaster wing morphology using manifold learning techniques with Samantha Riesenfeld (Assistant Professor, Molecular Engineering and Medicine, University of Chicago), Shmuel Weinberger (Andrew MacLeish Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, University of Chicago), and Richard Carthew (Professor, Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University). Gibbs felt the NITMB’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program provided valuable guidance. “The impact of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program is one I do not think is confined to my summer, but more importantly, will carry over as I continue to work on my project,” expressed Gibbs. “The input and advice I have received from my mentors, as well as the discussions I have had with my other peers have helped guide my future directions, especially as I continue to refine and clarify what research motivates me.”
Helen Yoo, an undergraduate studying chemistry and music at Bradley University, explored temperature compensation in cyanobacterial circadian rhythms with Mike Rust (Professor, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago) and Aaron Dinner (Professor, Chemistry, University of Chicago). Yoo believes the Summer Undergraduate Research program provided inspiration on what research to explore in the future. “I am hoping to pursue the physician-scientist route, and this summer program gave me exposure to quantitative biology research, giving me an impression of the field, which will shape my decisions on what area of research to pursue,” shared Yoo.
Pratyush Rallapally, undergraduate majoring in biology and statistics, University of California, Santa Barbara
Pratyush Rallapally is an undergraduate studying Biology and Statistics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Rallapally spent the summer contributing to calculating the gap-size statistics of 2D and 3D clusters under the Kovács Lab at Northwestern University. The Summer Undergraduate Research Program, as Rallapally describes, has provided significant support for Rallapally’s research career. “The program has given me access to such an expansive support system at NITMB, Northwestern, and through the other participants. The program has also given me more confidence as a researcher and has cemented that research that intersects math and biology is a path worth pursuing,” said Rallapally.
Jeonghyun Moon, an undergraduate studying biology and economics at Northwestern University, spent the summer working in the Arispe Lab developing a quantification protocol for identifying abnormalities in the retinal vasculature. As Moon shared, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program ignites passion for research integrating mathematics and biology. “The program reinforced my passion for research and helped me solidify my interest in pursuing a PhD in quantitative biology,” said Moon. “Through the support and insight of my peers and mentors, I have gained the foundation and network necessary for me to propel forward into my post-undergraduate career.”
A Summer of unforgettable memories
Helen Yoo, undergraduate majoring in chemistry and music, Bradley University
Undergraduate researchers were provided with more than opportunities to work with innovative research integrating mathematics and biology. The program connected the undergraduates to a community of like-minded researchers that will support each other throughout their careers. As Evan Gibbs remarked “I especially enjoyed all the time I spent with my fellow peers during the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Getting the opportunity to meet so many diverse and talented individuals, all of whom stemmed from a variety of academic backgrounds, was an amazing experience.” Helen Yoo believes the connections made with collaborators in the lab were a valuable aspect of the program. “One of my favorite memories is the weekly lab meetings,” said Yoo. “I got to see lots of productive discussions happening, and it was really cool to see how discussions unfolded, driven by curiosity.”
Connections between the summer undergraduate researchers and their peers were also forged outside of the laboratory. Pratyush Rallapally said “my favorite memories from the program were all the adventures I had while exploring Chicagoland with everyone, including thrifting in Andersonville and Wicker Park, catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, and every single time I ate a Chicago-style hot dog.” Jeonghyun Moon’s favorite memory was “going to trivia night on Tuesdays with the cohort at Bob’s Pizza.” One of Helen Yoo’s favorite memories of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program was “the daily dinners I shared with my UChicago cohort. We had some solid chats.” In discussing his favorite memory from the summer, Evan Gibbs expressed that “this summer had countless great memories both during research and outside working hours, including exploring Chicago. Without a doubt, this cohort was most certainly the driving highlight of my summer.”
A new direction for the future
The NITMB’s Summer Undergraduate Research program has left a significant impression on the undergraduate participants. As the summer ends and they prepare to return to their home institutions, the NITMB looks forward to witnessing how the undergraduates continue to grow and contribute to research integrating mathematical and biological disciplines. Evan Gibbs noted that “the NITMB and my experience this summer has motivated me to pursue research, and in doing so, gifted me with a wonderful set of individuals who I can refer to as I determine my future directions and interests.” For Helen Yoo, the time spent at the NITMB has been inspiring. “I am currently applying to MD-PhD programs. NITMB and my experience in this summer program has given me a look at what is really being done at this mathematical-biological interface. It has introduced me to different ways of thinking and widened my perspective.”
Jeonghyun Moon, undergraduate majoring in biology and economics, Northwestern University
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program helped all the undergraduates leave with a greater understanding of the importance of integrating mathematics and biology in research. “I plan on continuing to work remotely at the Kovács Lab,” explained Pratyush Rallapally. “As a biology major who worked in a physics lab this summer, the program has inspired me to load up on math classes at my home university to better understand the theory behind mathematics used in biological research. This program has given me a small taste of the research lifestyle and reinforced my interest in applied math research in biology.” Jeonghyun Moon noted that the Summer Undergraduate Research Program will be incredibly valuable for the future of the undergraduates, regardless of what they pursue in the future. “I will be continuing research in the Arispe Lab this academic year,” shared Moon. “During the next few months, I will also be applying for PhD programs in quantitative biology. I am convinced that the relationships and skills obtained through this experience will serve me well wherever I end up.” The undergraduate researchers are now equipped with new ideas, inspiration, a greater appreciation for the integration of mathematics and biology, and a strong community that will support them in their future endeavors.
Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of the NITMB Summer Undergraduate Research Program! The Institute looks forward to seeing where the experiences and connections developed during this program take these undergraduates in the future.
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