Taking a Leap
June 18, 2025
Hello everyone! My name is Kaitlyn. I am a rising senior at the University of Delaware, studying Biology on the Pre-medicine track. I have always been fascinated by cell biology and the field of healthcare. This summer, I am thrilled to delve deeper into both fields as an Empower Fellow at Fox Chase Cancer Center. This opportunity is an excellent way for me to explore research, acquire new skills, and move closer to my dream of becoming a physician.
Applying for this program felt natural due to my curiosity about disease mechanisms and how research translates into improving patient care. Despite my enthusiasm, I was initially hesitant, given the program’s competitive nature. As someone with limited prior research experience, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. However, with encouragement and determination, I decided to take that leap. 
My journey toward applying for the fellowship began after attending Discovery Day. I got the chance to experience a professional lab for the first time, where we performed gel electrophoresis. Witnessing the practical application of research techniques immediately drew me in and solidified my desire to be a part of it. I am incredibly grateful to have been selected, and the journey so far has been enriching. The program began with an intensive research boot camp week, providing an immersive introduction to essential lab techniques and critical skills like analyzing scientific papers.
This summer, I have the privilege of working under the guidance of my postdoctoral mentor, Aurpita Shaha, in Dr. Zeng-jie Yang’s lab. My research focuses on medulloblastomas, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Specifically, I will be studying glutamate toxicity and the receptors involved. We aim to better understand the immature neuron receptors and how they relate to neurotoxicity and the progression of these tumors. During my first week in the lab, I gained hands-on experience performing immunofluorescence and mastering the proper methods for using a cryostat- both exciting techniques that were completely new to me. Gaining proficiency with these tools has intensified my eagerness to delve deeper into the world of research. These hands-on experiences have fueled my learning and strengthened my confidence.
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue mastering more advanced techniques, contributing to meaningful research, and further developing my scientific communication abilities. While I anticipate some nervousness, I am also very much looking forward to presenting my findings at the end of the fellowship. This summer promises to be an important chapter in my academic and professional journey, bringing me closer to becoming a physician and making a difference in healthcare.
Sharpening My Skills at Fox Chase
July 11, 2025
Coming into the Empower Fellowship, I knew I wanted to learn more about how research works —not just from textbooks or lectures, but by doing it myself. This summer, I’ve gotten that experience! One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been in tissue staining. I’ve been involved in the full workflow—from slicing frozen tumor samples on the cryo stat, to carefully staining the tissue, to viewing the final results under the fluorescence microscope. It has all taught me a whole new level of patience and attention to detail. Timing matters, clean slides matter, and labeling matters. Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten much better at producing clean, viewable slides, and interpreting what the glowing red, blue, and green mean for our research.
Our goal is to promote the development of terminally differentiated cells that behave like normal, mature granular neurons. These neurons naturally release glutamate, which can be toxic to nearby cells at high levels. By encouraging this, we aim to create a microenvironment that is harmful to the surrounding bulk tumor cells, leading to their inhibition. It’s a fascinating idea: using a cell’s normal behavior to fight back. My role in this project is to help build the evidence to support our hypothesis. This is why I've been focusing most of my time on staining as well as performing polymerase chain reactions (PCR), which is used to check for specific genes in the sample.
Outside of the lab, I have enjoyed exploring Philadelphia and getting to know the city. I’ve spent time trying new food, visiting local neighborhoods, and stopping by farmers markets to experience the community. This fellowship has provided more than just technical skills; it has encouraged both personal and professional growth. I’ve learned many lessons about patience, troubleshooting, and precision in research. Now that I am halfway through the program, I look forward to continuing to build on the things I’ve learned- deepening my understanding of cancer research and myself.
Growth, Discovery, and Friendships
August 8, 2024
Participating in the Empower Fellowship this summer has been an amazing journey of learning, growth, and connection. Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of cancer biology and explore new scientific techniques that expanded my research capabilities. My project focused on investigating glutamate and its potential as a treatment for medulloblastomas. This project allowed me to learn about the mechanisms behind cancer, but also about the exciting possibilities for new, safer therapies.
Beyond the lab, the fellowship experience was personally transformative. I gained confidence in presenting my research to an audience with diverse levels of familiarity in the field. Overcoming my initial discomfort with public speaking during the symposium was a rewarding experience, and the event went very well. Sharing my findings and engaging with questions from the audience not only strengthened my communication skills but also highlighted the importance of making science clear and accessible. This experience taught me to value stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing opportunities, even when they feel intimidating. Additionally, I formed meaningful friendships with the other fellows, which made the program feel like a supportive community. These connections, alongside the knowledge I gained, have made the entire experience both memorable and rewarding.
This fellowship has also played a crucial role in solidifying my passion for becoming a physician. Throughout my research, I gained a deeper appreciation for how scientific discoveries can translate into medicine. The program showed me a vital connection between research and clinical practice, inspiring me to keep pushing forward on this path.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this journey possible. Thank you to the Zeng-jie Yang Lab, especially my mentor Aurpita Shaha, PhD, for welcoming me into the lab and guiding me through the research process. I learned so much more than I could have imagined in the last 10 weeks. I am also deeply thankful to the Empower Fellowship leadership and support team for their encouragement and organization. Their dedication created an enriching environment for us to grow academically and personally. I look forward to carrying the lessons, friendships, and inspiration from this fellowship into the next steps of my career.