Isaiah Moonlight
Richter Project
Examining the Role of the Family of Synucleins in Neurodegenerative Diseases using Yeast Models
Academic Interests
I am academically interested in health, law, advocacy, and the intersections among them. I am currently a Psychology and Neuroscience double major with a minor in Legal Studies. I find familial disease research incredibly fascinating and hope to pursue studies relating to genetic disease, neurophysiology, and global health law.
Hometown
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
High School
Early College Academy
Co-curricular
I love to get involved on campus, however, I can, and participate in many different organizations. I am an advocate with Its On Us, a student-run organization that spreads awareness about sexual assault prevention and advocates for sexual assault survivors. I am a member of the executive board of the College's radio station, WMXM. I am also the station's Folk Music Director. I am an ambassador and training officer for the College's Admissions Office. I am a Resident Assistant and a member of both the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the campus scientific journal, Eukaryon. I plan to get involved in many more honorary and science organizations and hope to continue my participation in extracurricular groups on campus and in the community.
My Dream Job
There are many potential careers I am passionate about. I love the thought of working with patients in either a psychology lab or in a therapeutic medical way. I have long been interested in genetic research and progressive diseases, which have endless fields of research. I am also interested in a career in either malpractice law or scientific advocacy. College is a wonderful time to explore the breadth of career options offered in the world. Hopefully, I will find a suitable career that fulfills my desire to help people and complements my set of interests.
What do you hope to learn from your Richter experience this summer?
As a member of the "D Lab," I am excited to help older students work on their thesis projects and learn my way around the lab. I believe that I will acquire crucial lab skills and basic research practices. I hope to gain a basic understanding of the lab environment as well as flesh out some of my interests.
The Richter Scholar Program is a wonderful opportunity to do research early in one's undergraduate studies. It will enable me to pursue my passions, identify new fields of interest, and meet and learn from other students. My participation in Richter will be a fulfilling and adventurous experience that will hopefully offer me both unique experiences and important lessons. To learn, advance, and engage - that is what I think Richter will offer me.