A reflection on research by undergraduate student Daniel Tran

Since joining the Casali Lab in early June of 2011, I have not only learned various techniques such as FACS, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and the ChIP Assay, but I have significantly improved upon my skills to analyze and think critically. It was by no means easy, but it was a welcoming challenge away from the classroom setting as I slowly progressed throughout the year in my research. At this point, I became aware of the fact that there was more to science, particularly biology, than what was just presented through books and lectures. Science was more than that.

Upon being appointed the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) Fellow at UCI, I realized that I have the potential to achieve my goals if I was persistent enough and worked hard at it. My project, "Inhibition of AID by ferrous cations" is currently still in progress but near completion. Receiving this award has inspired me to aim high and to never give up. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely under the supervision and mentor-ship of Guideng Li and Dr. Casali. They have provided me with the resources necessary to expand my knowledge and to broaden my educational experience as an undergraduate student. Most importantly, they have inspired me to achieve my goals and have bestowed me with confidence and support. I also appreciate the encouragement from the other members of the Casali Lab as they played an important role in my success as well.

With that, I believe researching in this lab has shaped my college experience here at UCI for the better and I hope to continue my progress through this very rewarding aspect of my life.

Sincerely,
Daniel Tran

Student Clayton White receives second place award for talk at 2011 Immunology Fair

PhD student Clayton White in the Casali lab received second place for his talk titled "The translesion DNA synthesis polymerase Rev1 recruits Ung for immunoglobulin class switch DNA recombination" at the 9th Annual Immunology Fair at UCI."

Student Thach Mai appointed to the Cancer Biology Training Grant

Casali lab student Thach Mai has been appointed as a pre doctoral trainee on the Cancer Biology Training Grant. Thach's excellent academic record and research accomplishments have resulted in appointments to both the NIH T32 Immunology Research Training Program and Cancer Biology Training Grant in his time at UCI. Please join us in congratulating him on his outstanding achievements.

Welcome to the US Isabella!

Swedish masters student Isabella Stenmark has made the long journey from Gothenburg, Sweden to join the Casali lab until the new year. She is excited to perform cutting-edge research and in her free time enjoys photography, traveling, and aeronautics! Welcome Isabella!

Student Clayton White appointed to the NIH T32 Immunology Research Training Program

Please join us in congratulating Casali lab student Clayton White for his appointment to the NIH T32 Immunology Research Training Program for the 2011-2012 academic year. Clayton will receive support for his studies and travel expenses for a conference meeting while participating in this selective program at UCI.

A reflection on research by undergraduate John Sakakura

Being an undergraduate, I spend most of my time with my head stuck in a
book, studying. But being in that position limits my ability to learn
and understand what is really going on in the world of biology. Starting
my undergraduate research in the Casali lab in the Summer of 2009, I have
spent almost 2 years learning and performing the many assays that I learn
about while having my head stuck in a book. Being in an immunology
research lab, I have performed many assays including ELISAs, western
blots, qRT-PCR, and many others.

What I enjoy most about research is the opportunity to learn and work
closely with several faculty and graduate students, which doesn't occur
often in the lecture hall. This involvement creates strong friendships
even outside the lab with many celebrations of birthday's and
commencements.

So that is a little bit about my past research. Under the supervision of
Dr. Pone, who is a post-doctorate, and Dr. Casali, I am working on a
project that deals with the relationship between B cell receptor signaling
and Toll-like receptor activation. This project has been completed and our
paper has been submitted. Along with that, I have just recently finished
the Excellence in Research program here at UCI and found it to be very
fulfilling.

With all that being said, my research has been a very rewarding and fun
experience for me as an undergraduate.

Sincerely,
John Sakakura

Graduate student Clayton White receives Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Graduate Fellow Award

Graduate student Clayton White was awarded a UCI - Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Graduate Fellow honor for the 2010 - 2011 academic year in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the HHMI-UCI Teaching Fellows Program. He was awarded $500 to help support his travel to the American Association of Immunologists 98th Annual Meeting in San Francsico in May. Congratulations Clay!

An undergraduate reflection on the journey through education by Nancy Saied

As I walk into a gymnasium for what seems like the thousandth time, I
still feel regret in my heart. There was no reason for quitting so many
years ago. What would have happened, where would I be now if I had
continued on that path? However, the sense of realization that what truly
matters is here and now, with me at UCI, soon takes over. In the last few
years I have grown to realize my interests have evolved. I am now
focusing more on my academics and striving to attain what is needed to
enter into medical school. I have put aside my former priorities of
working out daily, being on a sports team, and just enjoying life day to
day. As I continue my education at UCI, I know that the path ahead is
tough and must be taken seriously. I realize I can’t get ahead of myself.
The journey is way too long, but the prize is oh so sweet. As I proceed
to leave the gymnasium after my open-gym workout, I realize as one chapter
ends, another is opening. The skills I have lost in gymnastics, I
have gained in education and life. I walk out pleased with the skills
that I have managed to keep, and look forward to another week before my
next open-gym session. I realize the importance of the upcoming week for
my studies, research, and hospital shifts, but also know the importance of
not becoming stressed by looking too far ahead.

Nancy Saied