Meet Hailey DeWalt ’26, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and minoring in Healthcare Management & Insurance Studies.
What is the focus of your research?
I got started in research as a Health Research Program Fellow last summer, working in Dr. Caroline Dealy’s Lab at UConn Health. The focus of my project was on understanding the biological role of an alternatively spliced EGFR isoform and its implication in cancer diagnostics. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop a predictive EGFR cancer diagnostic test.
This current semester I am also starting in Dr. Nyholm’s Molecular and Cell Biology lab here on campus, where I will be investigating the egg microbiome of the Hawaiian bobtail squid and its potential for antibiotic discovery and development.
Why did you get involved in research?
I got involved in research because it gives me the chance to focus on topics that excite and interest me, but really dig deeper, beyond the content covered in my classes. Instead of simply accepting information, I get to ask ‘why’ and explore ways to test and explain these facts. I’ve always been curious about why things are the way they are, and research is the vessel through which I can challenge what we know and search for answers. I’ve also always loved my science labs throughout high school and college, so having the opportunity to design and conduct experiments for my own goals and projects has been incredibly exciting and rewarding.
What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?
Don’t be afraid to test the waters. Not every experience or opportunity will feel right or turn out to be what you’re looking for, and that’s okay—it’s all part of finding your passion and the right experience for you. Research is something you will ultimately invest a lot of time and effort in, so it’s important to choose something you genuinely care about. It doesn’t have to fit neatly within your major or match what you think you ‘should’ be doing; it should be something you want to do, not something you have to do.
What do you enjoy the most about participating in research?
What I enjoy most about research is that you never stop learning. The other researchers in your lab might be working on projects entirely different from yours, and that’s such a great opportunity to lean in and pick up new, interesting skills. For example, last summer, there were two dental students in my lab who were working with pig mandibles, and I got to watch as they dissected an entire pig head to collect tissue from the jaw. Research is so much more than just your individual project, so I love taking every opportunity to explore other research areas and learn about topics I would have otherwise never explored.
What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research influenced your plans and prepared you for the future?
After graduation, I aspire to attend medical school. My research experiences have truly solidified my passion for continuous growth and learning. Research is a process that requires you to go beyond the surface, challenge what you think you know, and search for new insights and solutions. These are the same principles I hope to apply in treating patients—really investigating each case, tailoring medical plans to individual needs, and approaching every situation with a fresh perspective.
Click here for more information on Hailey and other OUR Peer Research Ambassadors.