Delia Jaffe
Delia was one of four Wesleyan students who had the chance to participate in SSRP. Here, she recounts her unique experience as an undergraduate student in the program!
As part of a special cohort of Wesleyan students, Delia is a college sophomore double majoring in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and Economics, hoping to get a Ph.D in molecular biology. As part of her work on campus, she’s a campus tour guide and a program assistant for WesMass. Outside of school, she loves to bake and thrift!
Delia working on her project within the cell culture room in the RockEDU Lab.
What were you hoping to gain from the SSRP program?
“I was hoping to learn basic lab skills and learn about grad school/Rockefeller”
How has your participation in the program impacted your interest in science/research?
“It made me want to pursue a career in it!”
How did the SSRP impact your personal growth?
“At Rockefeller the freedom to explore unanswered questions, brainstorm with each other, design experimental procedures, and delve into the realms of problem-solving and deeper thinking entirely reshaped my perspective on science. Also, I lived alone in NYC for this program so learning all about a new city (transportation, food, friends, etc) and also how to live alone!”
Before RockEDU, the rigid nature of my lab courses and procedures, with predictable outcomes, left me questioning not only my affinity for research but also science as a whole.
What advice would you give to incoming SSRP students to help them make the most of their time?
“Come with an open mind, take initiative, ask WHY at every step (why does this work, why are we doing this, etc.), and talk to other students even who are not on your track!”
Delia and a fellow SSRP student having some fun in the lab in between experiments.
Favorite Memory from SSRP?
“Every week socializing and catching up with everyone at the catered lunches!”
Delia was a part of the Protein Pioneers track. Her independent project focused on constructing mutated ERK1 proteins that increase interactions with MEKK1 E3 ligases within an Alphafold mutimer, and using the different mutations to examine the effects of ubiquitination of ERK1.