Hailey (she/her) is a junior majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology and minoring in Healthcare Management and Insurance Studies. As a STEM Scholar and a member of the Honors Program, Hailey is deeply engaged in both academic and extracurricular activities at UConn. She serves as the Public Relations and Membership Coordinator for Pre-Med Society and Scheduling Coordinator for the Special Olympics Committee. Additionally, she is involved in Knit4NICU, MEDLIFE, and Dance Club.
During the summer after her freshman year, Hailey joined Dr. Caroline Dealy’s lab at UConn Health through the OUR’s Health Research Program. The focus of her research was on the tissue distribution of an alternatively spliced EGF receptor implicated in cancer diagnosis—with an ultimate goal of developing a predictive EGFR cancer test. This work culminated in a poster that she presented at UConn Health Summer Research Day, and later at UConn’s Frontiers in Undergraduate Research Exhibition for the larger university community. Hailey continues to work in the lab, now investigating the biological role of this receptor in mouse models and moving forward will use antibodies made by the National Cancer Institute to test for reactivity in sections of genetically engineered mouse livers.
Beyond her work at UConn, Hailey also really enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures. In January, she traveled to the Dominican Republic with Bridge to Guanin, where she helped establish and manage mobile medical clinics in rural communities with no access to healthcare resources. This experience sparked her passion for understanding how cultural and social backgrounds influence healthcare. She hopes to continue exploring and potentially researching these areas in the future. After completing her undergraduate degree, Hailey plans to attend medical school.
Hailey understands the challenges and pressures associated with starting research, finding the right lab, and achieving a good fit. She encourages fellow students to remain open-minded and resilient throughout the process, reminding them that everyone is learning and growing, and most importantly, they are not alone! If you have any questions about research, the process, her journey, or just want to chat, please do not hesitate to reach out!