Caroline Youdes NCUR 2023 Spotlight

Caroline Youdes

Junior, Biology major, Spanish minor

Research Mentor: Dr. Zhenheng Guo

I enjoy research because.... "I’m always learning something new and I love getting to be part of something bigger than myself that could create a meaningful difference in lives within my own community and beyond."

How did you first get interested in undergraduate research at UK?

"I knew coming to UK that I wanted to take advantage of all of the research opportunities offered here to gain important skills that will help me as I work toward my goal of becoming a physician. STEMCats allowed me to start getting involved right away, and I’ve gotten more and more interested each semester!"

How long have you been engaged in undergraduate research?

"I started getting involved in research during my freshman year via STEMCats, but this is my second semester working in Dr. Guo's lab."

What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

"It's exciting to learn about how my research applies to health issues that are especially relevant right here in Kentucky. It’s also been reallI knew coming to UK that I wanted to take advantage of all of the research opportunities offered here to gain important skills that will help me as I work toward my goal of becoming a physician. STEMCats allowed me to start getting involved right away, and I’ve gotten more and more interested each semester! It’s cool to participate in opportunities like Five Minute Fast Track to gain confidence in sharing my research with others."

What advice would you give to other UK students thinking about doing research?

"Getting started can seem intimidating, but there are so many people at UK who want to help you succeed. Passion and curiosity can take you a long way, so take that first step and seek out new opportunities."