Sophia Bonfigli

Which grant that you received do you want to talk about?
Summer URG

Please provide a brief summary of your research.
I research bioactive nanomaterials that can be used for applications in regenerative medicine. This summer, I looked at a system that uses a self-assembling nanofiber that acts like a track for dancing sliders with attached bioactive sequences. The sequence on the sliders was IKVAV, a laminin mimetic that can be used to promote adhesion and dendrite development of neurons in the brain and spinal cord.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
I loved biology and have always found regenerative medicine extremely fascinating. Using the body’s own machinery to recovery otherwise permanent or life-threatening injuries genuinely feels magical to me, so I’m so excited to be part of such impactful research.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
I always enjoyed hearing about other people’s projects and thought it was so cool to uncover new information about the world. Research is a way to do hands-on work to satiate my curiosity and use the information I was learning in class productively. I also wanted to blend my science knowledge with artistic skills, which is something that I do often now.

Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
Research can feel like a bit of a puzzle sometimes. You get to design experiments and run different tests to collect puzzle pieces, and then you use your knowledge and understanding to try and put the pieces together. I love being able to work together with others and explore new areas of science to progress in my project, all while learning new techniques and developing a plethora of skills. It can be frustrating sometimes when you can’t understand your results or don’ know how to validate a theory.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
I would recommend just going for it! Nobody expects you to know anything going in, and the more you are willing to learn, the farther you can go! Being in a lab, I feel like being part of a family. You don’t need any crazy skills to jump into research.

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
Puppeteering

What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
Spirited Away (Movie)