Tell Us about Yourself

I am currently a rising junior in the RUE (Resumed Undergraduate Education) program at Brown University.

What AEOP program(s) did you participate in?

Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP)

Words of Advice?

Ask questions! Ask every single question that pops into your head! I would have learned infinitely less this summer if I had not asked as many questions as I did. Not only did I ask questions to my supervisor, but I tried to get to know everyone in the lab.

Best Things about the Program?

The people in the Perepichka lab were the single best thing about the program. Yoko Otsuka, Dmytro Perepichka, and Chenghao Liu were three of the most exciting, brilliant, and curious scientists I have had the privilege to work with.

How Participating in AEOP Inspired You to Advance in the STEM Field?

On the second to last day of my internship, I was in the process of running some tests on our samples. As we watched the results come onto the screen, we could not believe our eyes! Suddenly, we all raced over to the other lab to take another test for confirmation—almost losing the sample on the way! That day, I was a part of the team that made an amazing discovery. I was able to not only experience the magic of scientific discovery, but be a part of it! It was one of the best days of my life.

Who is your favorite STEM role model? Why?

I remember hearing about a Dr. Joshua Schiffman’s work at the University of Utah lab correlating the p53 gene to cancer resistance in elephants is revolutionary, and creating hope for cancer patients around the world.

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Akaela Michels-Gualtieri

Akaela Michels-Gualtieri
  • Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP)

    Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP)

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