Samira Diaz De Leon came all the way from Southern California to attend WSU, where she is now majoring in biochemistry with an emphasis on molecular biology. She was recently named as one of 12 recipients nationwide of a $20,000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship given to those pursuing future careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research.
What initially drew you to your major?
Due to the lack of background my family and I had in understanding the prevention of sickness, I decided to be the first to educate myself about the sciences. I was further influenced in learning how to take care of myself and applied myself to study the chemical compositions of biological life and utilize it to help those who have skin difficulties.
Who has been the most influential mentor or professor during your time at WSU, and how have they impacted you?
My research career mentor, Dr. Mary Lanier Sanchez, has been the most influential in my progression in research choices. Dr. Sanchez constantly pushes me to excel and improve my critical thinking skills to communicate the importance of science. Through each improvement development I gained in my research, Dr. Sanchez has supported me in taking new chances and challenging myself. Additionally, having a mentor like Dr. Sanchez was the most influential because I was able to learn and look up to a great woman in STEM.
Have you had any opportunities to work in a lab or conduct research while at WSU? How has that experience impacted your studies?
Working in the Baylink Lab at Washington State University for over three years, I gained my first independent research project in bacterial disease this fall of 2023. My project focuses on an in vitro competition of salmonella and the microbiome in a healthy and diseased gut using feces from a large intestine of our modeled pig. My role in this project was to isolate two diverse metabolism microbiome bacteria, separated as anaerobe and aerobic bacteria, and create a fecal-enriched media to replicate the environment of an intestine and compete the bacteria with Salmonella enterica. I replicated this experiment using hydrogen peroxide to develop a diseased gut effect, which was filtrated with fecal-enriched media. Competitions were tested through a 96-well plate reader and analyzed using a fluorescence S. enterica to calculate the growth of the microbiome. All plate conditions were grown under hypoxic conditions at 37 degrees Celsius to mimic similar conditions of a gut.
Moreover, we discovered the microbiome’s importance in preventing infection, allowing the Baylink lab to use this data for an insight into the pathogen’s colonization when performing an in-vivo study.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in a field within the College of Veterinary Medicine?
Although science might be hard at first, it takes time to understand and know the meaning of scientific words so take your in preparing and learning about the sciences.
What’s your favorite thing about WSU?
My favorite thing about WSU is the peaceful and small community Pullman has. This has allowed me to concentrate and enjoy my time as an undergraduate working toward a degree in biochemistry and discovering my research interest.
What are your post-graduation plans, and how do you see your education at WSU helping you achieve them?
After completing my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from WSU, I plan to apply for a PhD program with a focus on microbiology. Currently, I am preparing my list of graduate schools that perform research on skin inflammatory diseases and their relationships with gut microbiomes. My post-graduation plans would include completing my studies in graduate school, committing to the NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP), and planning to work with NIH’s biggest research institutions for a year in my research of interest.
What hobbies or extracurricular activities have you enjoyed at WSU, and how have they enriched your time here?
During my time at WSU, I have been part of the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program that allows undergraduates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to embark on a two-year program of scientific research, leadership development, and graduate school preparation. I am also part of the STEM Student Support System (SSS) program that advises and supports undergraduates pursuing a study in the sciences. Lastly, I enjoyed building community as a senior resident advisor working in residential halls, and during my free time, I participated with a group of friends to play sports in intramural competitions.
What’s a fun or surprising fact about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I come from a family of 10 and the only one with curly/wavy hair! I owned my first book in college, and it was about HeLa Cells.