Layiba Choudhry DRC’23 and Project SUPER Students Present at Virtual Symposium

Layiba Choudhry DRC’23, a biotechnology major and political science minor, presented her research project, "Computational Studies of Configurations of the Ttgr Protein with Naringenin," to the Douglass community at the Project SUPER Research Symposium earlier this month. As only a second-year student, showcasing her ongoing research is sure to be one of many significant achievements Choudhry will accomplish over the course of her Douglass journey.

“Being chosen to present at the Project SUPER Research Symposium is what I am most proud of during my time at Douglass so far,” she said. “It was an amazing opportunity for me to share the research I have worked on for the past few months and share my wealth of knowledge and experience.”

This year, Project SUPER, Douglass' undergraduate research program, took place in an entirely virtual setting. Since students could not be present in the physical laboratory, they worked on vital aspects of academic research at home such as literature reviews, data management, and computer programming. Some students were even able to take part in online experiments such as developing remote education methodology. While barriers to in-person experiences exist due to the pandemic, staff, students, faculty, and industry partners all worked together to produce a quality and safe research experience for the 2020 cohort of Project SUPER students.

Choudhry was introduced to the lab when taking Introduction to Scientific Research, an innovative and immersive course that outlines the many components necessary for conducting scientific research and prepares students to take part in Project SUPER. Her involvement in the course allowed her to gain valuable research experience and connect with leaders in the field.

“Douglass provided me with this amazing opportunity to start my research career. Through the Introduction to Scientific Research course, I was able to participate in research for the first time," she said. "I was paired with Dr. Lu Wang from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, who was passionate and eager to teach me about computational research.”

As a result of her hard work and dedication in the lab, Choudhry has gained quite an impressive skill set.

“Before entering this lab, I had no experience with computational chemistry or research," she said. "I was able to learn how to code and conduct molecular dynamic simulations on biomolecules. I also was able to achieve proficiency in using computational programs such as AMBER and Visual Molecular Dynamics to observe molecular behaviors. These experiences are immensely valuable to me and provided me with a unique perspective.”

Choudhry has inspiring goals for her future. She dreams of attending medical school in hopes of making meaningful contributions to our global society.

“I am very passionate about healthcare, public health, and medicine. I want to pursue a career helping others.”

As she continues to pursue her aspirations, Choudhry builds a support network through her involvement in the Douglass community.

“From going on a Douglass sponsored externship to attending the Douglass BOLD Leadership Academy to Project SUPER, I have always had a great experience," said Choudhry. "The most fulfilling part of being a Douglass woman is the endless support given. No matter the topic or occasion, the community at Douglass is always encouraging, empowering, and supportive. They are there to help you at your lowest points and are there to celebrate your success at your highest points as well.”

In addition to Choudhry, the Douglass Project SUPER Research Symposium featured over sixty student researchers. To see their projects, please click here.