Meet Michelle Antony ’23, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) double majoring Molecular & Cell Biology and Community Health.
What is the focus of your research?
The focus of my research is to develop cartilage repair approaches for individuals with joint injury who are at risk for developing osteoarthritis, a painful degenerative disease of the cartilage.
Why did you get involved in research?
I got started in undergraduate research because it was an opportunity to supplement what I was learning in the classroom, and it allowed me to gain more insight into the process of scientific inquiry. Being at UConn Health and getting involved in biomedical research gave me an appreciation for the bench to bedside process where research results from the laboratory can be taken into the clinic. As an aspiring physician, the ability to work on cutting-edge research that can directly affect patient health is so exciting.
What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?
My advice is to go out of your comfort zone. It may be nerve-wracking to reach out and meet with a faculty member for the first time, but it is important to know that you are not expected to be an expert in their field of study. Pursuing these opportunities will be completely worth it in the end!
Describe the impact your research experiences have had on you.
My research has taught me “how to think” as opposed to “what to think.” Being able to ask questions, formulate hypotheses, and develop experiments to answer these questions has been so enriching. These critical thinking skills are something I can take with me as I graduate, attend medical school, and eventually practice medicine. Additionally, although undergraduate research has not always been smooth sailing, it has taught me the importance of resilience when it feels like everything is going wrong. Failing and trying again is part of the research process and it is so important to be persistent.
Click here for more information on Michelle and other OUR Peer Research Ambassadors.