Sairakshitha Yalla NCUR 2023 Spotlight

Sairakshitha Yalla

Junior, Biology and Mathematics major

Research Mentors: Dr. Hull and Dr. Manon

I enjoy research because.... "there is nothing more rewarding than discovering something for the very first time."

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

"I was interested in undergraduate research at UK before I even enrolled here. Being a R1 research institution, I knew that the university's commitment to academic excellence and its history of producing cutting-edge research, that engaging in undergraduate research would be a formative experience of my time at UK."

How long have you been engaged in undergraduate research?

"I have been engaged in undergraduate research since my sophomore year at UK, having worked in Dr. Moseley in the Bioinformatics lab, and then working with Dr. Manon on Predicting patterns in Ehrhart polynomials by gluing 3D systems through the Math Club. I am also a SPARK scholar working on Understanding Lung Cancer Screening Resources and Needs in Appalachian Kentucky under the mentorship of Dr. Pamela Hull and Dr. Jessica Thompson."

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

"The most exciting aspect of my research is the collaboration with my peers and mentorship by my advisor. The hands-on learning that I get to participate in, and the brainstorming sessions around a whiteboard with like-minded peers is an unparalleled experience."

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

"Keep your mind open to exploring research outside your major/field of study. Some of the most exciting research at UK is being conducted by teams of researchers who are actively borrowing tools and paradigms from other fields to tackle old problems in new ways."