(From left) Cindy Peng, Sophia Go, Caleb Johnson, Kelvin Chen
Four undergraduate students in the lab of Jianjie Ma, PhD, a professor in the Department of Surgery’s Division of Surgical Sciences, have been honored with prestigious Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards. The recipients, Cindy Peng, Sophia Go, Kelvin Chen, Caleb Johnson, and Kelvin Chen, will each receive up to $3,000 to support their innovative research projects in the Ma Lab during the upcoming summer and academic year.
The Harrison Award is designed to fund outstanding undergraduate research projects across various fields, encouraging students to explore their academic interests under the guidance of faculty members. This year, the awardees will contribute to ongoing research initiatives in Dr. Ma’s lab that are focused on utilizing advanced techniques such as CRISPR-gene editing and AAV-gene delivery to investigate the molecular functions of novel genes related to human diseases.
The students are excited about the opportunity to pursue their research through the awards. “Receiving this award not only validates my research efforts, but also motivates me to delve deeper into my project,” stated Sophia Go.
Similarly, Kelvin Chen highlighted the importance of the funding. “This support will allow me to access essential resources and collaborate more effectively with my peers,” Kelvin said.
Caleb Johnson and Cindy Peng also shared their enthusiasm, emphasizing how the award will enhance their ability to conduct meaningful research that could lead to significant advancements in medical science.
The Harrison Undergraduate Research Award is open to first, second, and third-year, full-time UVA undergraduate students, making it a vital resource for fostering the next generation of researchers. With this funding, the awardees are poised to make impactful contributions to their fields, furthering the mission of UVA to promote academic excellence and innovation.
Filed Under: Honors & Awards, Research