Major and research focus:
Wang is a junior biology major. Her summer 2020 Research Project was titled “Developmental Control of Drosophila Meiosis." Wang summarizes her work this way: “Current research has no information in regards to the mechanism of double-stranded break formation controls in Drosophila, but previous research and knowledge suggests a link to chromatin marks. My project will look into the epigenetic chromatin marks that correspond with double-stranded break formation patterns in Drosophila using R and statistical analysis.”
Research mentors and funding source:
Wang’s research mentor was Nicole Crown, PhD, assistant professor with Department of Biology.
Wang was funded by the SOURCE STEM program.
Biggest learning moment while doing research:
Wang said, “Usually when I am in labs, I am working with flies and microscopes. With this remote research, I am working with a lot of computer programs. This virtual context encouraged me to learn new things about the process of research.”
Service and Leadership at CWRU:
Wang is the diversity coordinator of the Undergraduate Research Society, where she mentors fellow students who are interested in the biology field. Also, she volunteers at the Cleveland Animal Protective League and was involved in being a host to one of the Chinese Student Association spring festivals.
Aspirations for the future:
Wang plans to attend graduate school with a focus on genetics. Her faculty mentor (Nicole Crown) has given her guidance what it would entail to go into translational genetics. Then after graduate school, Wang aspires to be a professor.