With her sights set on becoming a neuro-oncologist, Lone Star College-CyFair Honors College freshman Autumn Hildebrand has been selected for a unique research internship that will offer further insight into her dream career.
“I’m thrilled to be working with an entire team of Rice University students (undergraduate and graduate) in a virtual research program at the Saltz Lab,” said Hildebrand, whose interest in studying cancer began while learning about cells undergoing rapid mitosis in her high school biology class.
The Saltz Lab researchers address fundamental questions in evolutionary and behavioral biology by studying genetic variation. Among the student interns’ duties will be to code behavioral videos, analyze experimental data, and to attend regular lab meetings and small group journal club discussions.
“In this research internship, we will be studying aggression in fruit flies. This is an experiment to determine how organisms interact based on their genes and how those factors change and develop under different circumstances,” she said.
Hildebrand said the internship is an opportunity to learn more about how biological factors, presented with different variables, can change over time. This internship will also allow her to further familiarize herself with the research process in addition to what she is learning through Honors College.
“I’ve always been fascinated by research - the process, the writing, the brainstorming - all of it. One day, I'd like to publish my own research paper on brain cancer,” said this Honors College Presidential Merit Scholar. “And I've always loved the brain. I think that anatomically it's fascinating and how our minds are what make us, us, is a fascinating concept.”
A former Dual Credit student and recent May 2020 Cypress Woods High School graduate, she is already a year ahead of other classmates. Therefore, she will graduate this May with her LSC-CyFair associate degree and plans to attend the University of Texas MD Anderson to continue studying cancer and pursuing her interest in neuro-oncology.
“LSC-CyFair has taught me more than just academics. I learned that it's okay to step out of your comfort zone and that communication with others is the key to all success,” she said. “Starting out at Lone Star has given me the chance to look at all my options; and has helped me determine a path, future goals, that I am passionate and excited about; and has inspired me to try nothing less than everything.”
Registration for the spring semester begins Nov. 11. For information on registration and LSC-CyFair degree and workforce programs, go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair.