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When I first stepped into the laboratory two years ago as an undergraduate researcher at the University of New Haven, I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing. I knew I was passionate about genetics and biotechnology. Still, the reality of scientific research—the meticulous sample processing, the careful DNA extraction, the countless hours waiting for results—was both humbling and exhilarating. I just didn't know yet that this work would fundamentally shape my future.

Today, as I prepare to enter Yale University's Program to Advance Training in Health & Sciences (PATHS) and start working on my Ph.D. program applications, I can trace nearly every step back to my first day in the lab, to the mentorship of faculty members who believed in me, and to the discoveries I made about what I truly want to do with my career.

My research focuses on identifying viral genomes in human heart tissue samples. Specifically, I've been investigating encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) as a potential driver of heart disease.

Each sample tells a story. Each successful PCR result feels like solving a puzzle that could one day help patients. The work itself is demanding. I perform DNA and RNA extraction, run nested PCR amplifications, analyse results using gel electrophoresis, and collaborate with faculty and graduate mentors to validate findings.

This work requires precision, patience, and a genuine curiosity about what the data might reveal. There were moments of doubt, but I kept going. And the more I progressed, the more I realized this wasn't just a job or a resume builder. This was something I genuinely wanted to understand at a deeper level.

2026 Conference is an international conference and the largest virology meeting in the world. I was selected as a candidate student to represent our research, and I received a travel award from the conference organizers.

This was my first poster presentation, and walking into that conference surrounded by prominent virologists and researchers from around the world was surreal. I presented my work on "Hidden Viral Drivers of Heart Disease: EMCV as an Unrecognized Cardiac Pathogen," and the feedback I received was invaluable. Researchers approached me after my presentation, asking detailed questions about my methodology. These conversations reminded me that I wasn't just a college student doing busy work. I was contributing to scientific questions (a conversation) that matter.

Last fall, I presented my research on EMCV at the Sigma Xi International Research Presentation Conference online. It was my first online research presentation, and I was nervous. But standing in front of other researchers, explaining the molecular evidence I'd uncovered, I felt something click. This wasn't just coursework or an assignment for a grade. This was real science with real implications.

Last year, I received the Rising Star Award from the Genetics and Biotechnology department. Seeing my name on that award felt validating. It meant that the faculty members who had been guiding me believed in my potential. This summer, I was participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, which allowed me to dedicate myself fully to my research for three months. That intensive period produced some of my strongest results and helped me understand what advanced research could look like.

As I look ahead to my future in the biomedical sciences, my goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in a program where I can continue conducting research at an advanced level and make meaningful contributions to science. A year ago, I wasn't sure I was ready for graduate studies, but through my research experience and faculty mentorship, my confidence has grown significantly.

To support this goal, I was thrilled to be accepted into Yale's PATHS program. This 10-month program prepares undergraduates for graduate studies in the biomedical sciences. Starting this fall, I'll participate in workshops and receive mentorship from current graduate students at Yale School of Medicine. They'll guide me through the graduate admissions process and help me prepare for the next steps in my academic journey. With PATHS and the foundation, I've built, I'm confident in pursuing my Ph.D. and advancing my research career.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible faculty at the University of New Haven who believed in me. My mentor, Anna Kloc, Ph.D., associate professor in biology and environmental science, has been instrumental in shaping my journey as a researcher. Her unwavering guidance, encouragement, and belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to take on this challenge.

She taught me how to think scientifically, how to present my work with confidence, and how to see myself as a researcher. She showed me that it's okay to have questions, to make mistakes, and to keep pushing forward. She's shaped my growth as a student researcher and continues to inspire me to push my boundaries. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunities she provides and her constant support.

I also want to recognize the other faculty members who have been crucial to my success: Dr. Marta Taddeo, Ph.D.; my advisor Eva Sapi, Ph.D., chair of the biology and environmental science department; and Amy L. Carlile, Ph.D., associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Each of them has contributed to my development, whether through direct guidance, encouragement, or creating an environment where undergraduate research is valued and supported. I am also grateful to the University for providing me with a travel stiped to attend the ASV conference.

If you're reading this and you're interested in research but hesitant to take the first step, I encourage you to do it. Talk to a professor in your major. Express your interest. You don't need to have everything figured out. And if you're already doing research but feeling overwhelmed, know that these feelings are normal.

There are opportunities and programs designed to help you grow, whether it's your department's research initiatives, travel awards for conferences, or programs such as PATHS. The path from undergraduate researcher to graduate student moves faster than you think. I'm grateful for every mentor, every challenge, and every moment of doubt that pushed me to work harder. They've all brought me to where I am today: excited and ready for what comes next.