Turniansky, Rashi

DSC_8262Q. Describe your research project and its significance in 100 words or less.

A. My project is two-fold; the first part is to characterize the functional sites of the histone methyltransferase Set5 and determine where it interacts with histone H4, and the second is an exploratory experiment to identify all proteins that complex with Set5. This is important because Set5 is a highly conserved protein, and learning about its functionality can lend enormous insight into the world of epigenetics.

Q. How long have you been working on this project?

A. I’ve been working in this lab since February 2014, although my project in its current form has evolved since then.

Q. What do you like most about doing research?

A. I am always excited when I get results that make sense, even if they were unexpected.

Q. What do you like least about doing research?

A. t’s frustrating to get results that not only are difficult to explain, but are also inconsistent when repeated, and are therefore the results of unforeseen variables.

Q. What are your career goals?

A. Professorship has always appealed to me. I aim to conduct my own research lab someday.

Q. What advice do you have for students who are trying to get into a research lab/group?

A. Talk to your professors. Even if you understand the course material perfectly, attend office hours and make connections. If anyone in their department is looking to hire, they’ll likely have discussed it with their colleagues, who will remember the students who are actively engaged in their courses.