Graduate Student Interview: Prableen Chowdhary(Brewster Lab)

This semester the BIOL 141H – Foundations of Biology: Cells, Energy, & Organisms Honors students were asked to interview UMBC graduate students to better understand what research and graduate school is like, including tips for getting involved and applying to different programs. In a series of myUMBC postings, the BIOL 141H students share their interview reflections. Each of these interviews were completed by an undergraduate student, and are posted with permission from both undergraduate and graduate student. Their contact information can be seen at the bottom of the post if you have any questions. Questions about BIOL 141H can be directed to course instructor, Dr. Beth Feeser (efeeser@umbc.edu).

Simone Acquaye

Dr Feeser

BIO141H

15 October 2021

Graduate Interview Article

Prableen Chowdhary is a Ph.D, Neurosciences & Cognitive Sciences graduate student in the Brewster Lab at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). Chowdhary helps with the training of undergraduates within the Brewster Lab as well as participating in the research herself. The Brewster lab is studying Zebrafish embryos. Since these organisms’ embryos can develop externally, they can easily make observations for research through a microscope. There are two parts to this research. One section of researchers is observing and analysing the development of the neural tube which leads to the growth of the spine and brain within the zebrafish embryos, and the other section of the lab is investigating the zebrafish tolerance to hypoxia/ low oxygen conditions. Chowdhary mentions how “this research project holds implications for things like longer organ life during organ transplantation, and higher survival rates for human complications such as heart attacks and strokes.” Chowdhary in the lab's section where they are analysing the zebrafish in hypoxic conditions. Chowdhary describes how “they look at the NDRG1 gene that plays a role in allowing the zebrafish to survive in hypoxic conditions; humans have this gene as well.” This lab’s research is suggesting that possibly we could alter this gene in humans. Chowdhary states “since we find the NDRG1 gene in humans as well, there may be a way we can manipulate it so that humans can respond better at low oxygen, maybe with drugs or something else.”

Chowdhary in undergrad, was trying to decide whether she wanted to go to medical school or go into research. Ultimately, Chowdhary chose research, and she says “I wasn’t very fond of the competitiveness within medical school.” Chowdhary also believes that she made the right decision not only because she “feels grad school is so much more welcoming and open, and the fellow grad students are a lot kinder,” but because she is getting some similar experience to what she desired from medicine. The Brewster Lab has allowed Chowdhary to work with live specimens that “really keep everyone in the lab on their toes.” Chowdhary also gets to experience the clinical implications and aspects of the research, which satisfies some desires that came with wanting to go into medicine.

Chowdhary feels she has made a monumental decision in deciding on doing research at UMBC. Chowdhary says she “Enjoys the other grad students she works with, gets to hang out outside of the lab and do social things together.” This really draws attention to the much needed social aspect of being a student, and how she can easily incorporate that into her life. If Chowdhary had any advice for her undergraduate self, she would tell her, “Get yourself into a lab, have a leg up on basic lab experience, prepare for the marathon that grad school is. Prepare for troubleshooting and understand that you will not expect everything that comes your way!” 

Questions?

BIOL 141H student: Simone Acquaye (sacquay1@umbc.edu)

Graduate Student: Prableen Chowdhary (pchowdh1@umbc.edu)

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