Meet Hailey DeWalt ’26, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies

What is the focus of your research/creative activity?

I currently work in two research labs on campus! In one, I study the microbiome of the Hawaiian bobtail squid and its potential for antibiotic discovery and development. In the other, through the psychology department, I explore how religion and spirituality intersect with health and human flourishing. While these projects may seem unrelated, both reflect passion topics for me and allow me to think about healthcare more deeply—from scientific discovery to the human experiences and inequities that shape it.

Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?

I actually stumbled into research a bit by accident—I knew I was curious about it, but I didn’t realize just how much it would shape my college experience. At UConn, I quickly learned that research is incredibly multifaceted, with opportunities that extend far beyond the hard sciences. What excites me most is that I can shape my projects around my own interests and use research as a way to dig deeper into questions I care about. It’s not just about learning things are how they are, but asking why and exploring possibilities.

What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?

Don’t limit yourself! If you have a “crazy” idea or a random topic that sparks your curiosity, run with it. Chances are, there’s already a lab at UConn exploring something similar (or exactly that!)—and if not, that just gives you the chance to create something of your own. Research should be something you genuinely enjoy and feel excited to pursue, not just something you check off a list. Take the time to reflect on what lights a spark inside of you and give it a shot—you never know, it might grow into something greater than you ever imagined.

Describe the impact your research experience/creative activity has had on you.

Research has been one of the most meaningful parts of time at UConn. I never imagined becoming so immersed and passionate about it—especially across such different fields—but once I got started, I just couldn’t stop. I’ve loved being able to keep exploring, turning bold ideas into projects, and challenging myself to create rather than just accept. Along the way, research has given me not only a richer education, but also a creative outlet, a space for advocacy, and the chance to meet incredible people who have shaped my journey.

What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research/creative activity influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?

After graduation, I plan to attend medical school. Research has been instrumental in preparing me for this path by teaching me how to think more critically, approach problems with persistence, and adapt when things don’t go as planned. It has also shown me how science and medicine can address broader social issues, and how advocacy can transform injustice into opportunities for change. These lessons will continue to guide me as I pursue a future career in medicine and work toward making a meaningful difference in patient care.

Meet José Matute Gálvez ’26, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology, Allied Health Sciences and Biochemical Systems in Health and Disease (individualized major).

What is the focus of your research/creative activity?

My research focuses on designing light-sensitive small molecules that can be used to investigate how cells communicate with one another. In particular, I am developing “photoswitchable” compounds that target calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels, which regulate calcium entry into cells through store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). By attaching light-sensitive groups to known inhibitors of these channels, I can switch their activity on and off with specific wavelengths of light. This precise control makes it possible to study cellular signaling in ways that traditional methods cannot, offering new insights into how calcium regulates key biological processes.

Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?

Transferring from Manchester Community College was a big change, and it came with a desire to prove to myself that I could both succeed and find my place at a large university. Getting involved in research not only helped me build a new community but also showed me how the concepts I learned in class applied to real scientific discovery. Once I joined the Kienzler Laboratory, I discovered that I enjoyed both the creativity of organic chemistry and the problem-solving involved in testing molecules in living cells. This experience ultimately led me to develop my own independent project, secure funding, and present my findings to diverse audiences, experiences that have been some of the most rewarding parts of my undergraduate journey.

What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?

Be open-minded and persistent. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. What matters most is your curiosity and your willingness to adapt. Don’t be afraid to reach out to faculty or mentors, even if their research is outside of your knowledge’s comfort zone. Most importantly, remember that research is full of trial and error. The setbacks are just as valuable as the successes, and both will help you grow as a student, researcher, and person.

What do you enjoy the most about participating in research/creative activity?

I enjoy the moments when everything finally comes together, whether it is successfully synthesizing a molecule after weeks of troubleshooting or seeing that the compounds I created actually work when tested in cells. Presenting my research at conferences and symposiums has made those moments even more meaningful, as I get to share the hard work behind the discoveries with others.

Describe the impact your research experience/creative activity has had on you.

Research has taught me resilience, patience, and the ability to think creatively about complex problems. It has given me the confidence to design and lead projects on my own from start to finish, skills that I know will carry over into my career in dentistry. Most importantly, it has shaped the way I approach challenges, not as obstacles, but as opportunities to learn and grow.

What is your greatest accomplishment so far?

My greatest accomplishment so far has been developing my own independent project in the Kienzler Laboratory and seeing it grow from an idea into a funded research project. Receiving the IDEA Grant and being selected for the University Scholar Program were affirmations of my hard work, but the most rewarding part has been sharing my research through presentations. I am especially excited that this journey is now allowing me to travel to San Antonio to present at a national conference.

What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research/creative activity influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?

After graduation, I plan to attend dental school. My involvement in research has strengthened my problem-solving skills and given me a strong foundation in scientific thinking, which I believe will help me become the best clinician I can be. It has also shown me the importance of mentorship, and I hope to continue supporting other students, especially those who are first-generation, from minority backgrounds, or transfer students, in finding opportunities that will shape their own paths, just as they have shaped mine.

 

Meet Ashly Gasior ’27, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Chemistry and Physics and minoring in Mathematics.

What is the focus of your research/creative activity?

The focus of both my current and previous research has been applications in radical chemistry.  Previously, I worked on using electrochemistry to create greener synthesis methods, and currently I am working on using spectroscopic techniques to access to the quantum behavior of unpaired electrons.

Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?

I got involved in research because I was curious as to how all of the theoretical science taught in our coursework is actually applied.  I was interested in doing graduate studies, so I wanted to see what it actually meant to do research!

Describe the impact your research experience/creative activity has had on you.

Research has completely opened up a new sphere of my brain.  It’s one thing to be good at math and science – it’s another to be able to creatively engage and add to your field of study.  Being able to sit down and attempt to figure something out that no one has before requires you to train your brain to think in a new way, and although it was a bit humbling in the beginning, the process was so incredibly rewarding!

What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research/creative activity influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?

My plan after graduation is to pursue a PhD in physical chemistry!  My involvement in research has prepared me in a way no other academic pursuits could have.  From laboratory training, to developing my own project proposals, to designing experiments, to presenting my work, to writing my own journal papers; I feel more than ready to start doing graduate level research.

 

Meet Breanna Bonner ’26, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Human Rights and Media, Policy, and Social Movements (individualized major).

What is the focus of your research/creative activity?

My current research focus is exploring art and policy-based interventions to gun violence in the U.S. I spent the summer exploring these topics through the BOLD Scholars program, where I traveled to Kansas City, Chicago, and Boston to implement my project. The process included interviewing gun violence prevention scholars/practitioners from across the U.S., heavily engaging in literature, interviewing non-profits, and creating/ executing art-based processing curriculum for survivors of gun violence. My senior thesis aims to work with community members, policy-makers, and non-profits to study community perceptions of public safety. I am also currently working on curating an exhibit at UConn as a form of dissemination of my BOLD project!

Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?

I got involved in research because I am constantly looking to explore big questions. I’ve always wanted to know why society is the way that it is, and research has allowed me to not only explore these questions, but to actively engage in interventions. I love research because I believe that it has the power to inform social change when done correctly. To find solutions to social problems, we first have to be able to name them and understand their context.

What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?

The advice that I would give to student researchers is to explore a topic that they’re truly passionate about. The best research projects center around questions that keep you up at night and make you excited to go into the ‘lab’ space the next day. Caring deeply about the topic prevents burnout and allows for reaching your full potential!

What is your greatest accomplishment so far?

Research-wise, my greatest accomplishment is leading an art-based processing retreat around gun violence solutions with 25 current and former gang-involved men in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. Watching them engage in passionate solution-based dialogue and seeing them hanging up the art-work that they created was the highlight of my career so far. I’m excited to go back and visit them!

Personally, being a senior in college and meeting my incredible campus family.

What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research/creative activity influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?

My plans after graduation are to either pursue graduate education researching public safety and social movement research methodology, or to work for a non-profit organization doing community participatory action research (PAR) My experiences doing community-based research in undergrad has prepared me to ask questions, think critically, and build coalitions across demographics for social change.

Meet Olivia Joyce ’27, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Political Science and Statistics and minoring in Public Policy and Analytics.

What is the focus of your research/creative activity? 

Currently I am focused on a student led project for Summer 2025 that I hope to continue working on for my honors thesis! I am focusing on torture laws in the United States. I have been examining torture laws on a state-by-state basis and what exists in the legal statues across states. I am trying to make an argument that all forms of torture should be covered under state law and that torture as an act should be criminalized. For this project I was lucky enough to receive the Caxide Scholars Grant and have been able to work with my wonderful mentor Dr. Richards in the Political Science Department.  

Why did you get involved in research/creative activity? 

Upon entering UConn in my first semester, I found the Political Science department offers research assistant positions through the Bennett Honors Research Assistantship program for Honors students. I found a lot of the research topics and projects being done within the department super interesting and wanted to get a little bit of insight into what is research in the social sciences and whether it was something I would enjoy. I ended up loving the process and working so closely with faculty. After that I continued to pursue research experiences in political science and other disciplines.  

What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers? 

Getting involved in research seems intimidating and can take a bit of effort and persistence. As a student in the social sciences your research journey may look a little bit different than your friends or students in other majors. Social science research is important, and everyone should pursue research if they feel it is a good fit for them. It is important to follow your interests and passions. Identify what topics and disciplines you are interested in and start exploring.  

What do you enjoy the most about participating in research/creative activity? 

Participating in research has been such a rewarding experience for me. It has shaped my undergraduate experience. I think my favorite part is being able to get hands on experience working with data and information that I am learning about. I also think that being able to collaborate with the amazing UConn professors has been rewarding. Being able to build a relationship with a mentor and someone who wants to see you do well and help you get there has been an important part of my journey.  

What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research/creative activity influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future? 

I plan to attend graduate school and hopefully end up in a research focused career. I would like to attend law school or a PhD program. Getting started in research so early on in my time here at UConn pushed me and inspired me to reexamine what I was looking for in a career. I think that research has pushed me to be more curious and analytical and I want to nurture those skills in my career. Research has allowed me to apply knowledge from my classes along with learning so many new things and it has taught me to always dig deeper with my learning and skills.  

To make an appointment with Olivia, submit a meeting request here!

Meet Alana Wolfson ’27, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Molecular and Cell Biology.

What is the focus of your research/creative activity?

My research project is on how poor diets during sheep gestation can impact the muscle development and mitochondria of their offspring and, “grand” offspring.

Why did you get involved in research/creative activity?

I got involved in research to explore my interests related to veterinary medicine and cell biology. Research allows me to dive deeper into a specific concept or idea outside of a normal classroom curriculum.

What advice would you give to aspiring student researchers?

The main piece of advice I would give aspiring student researchers is to try any idea, possible connection, or questions they have. I would encourage them to keep pushing for their goals and interests in this field, regardless of rejection.

What do you enjoy the most about participating in research/creative activity?

The most satisfying part about participating in research is presenting the final project. I enjoy sharing my experimental outcomes and sparking conversations with various people in academia.

Describe the impact your research experience/creative activity has had on you.

Research sparked my curiosity and confidence. Constantly reading new articles, talking to professors, and presenting my work in front of people in academia gave me these skills.

What is your greatest accomplishment so far?

My greatest accomplishment in research so far was when I presented at a research conference (American Physiological Society) with a wide range of successful scientists. I learned a ton from the American Physiological Society’s community and my mentor’s colleagues.

What are your plans after graduation? How has involvement in research/creative activity influenced your plans and/or prepared you for the future?

My plan after graduation is to attend veterinary school. Research and my passion for veterinary medicine coincide with each other. Research allowed me to study a specific topic in veterinary medicine/animal science of my interest.

To make an appointment with Alana, submit a meeting request here!

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.   Continue reading →