Trojan undergraduates dedicate summer to transformative research

There’s no other place USC junior Elizabeth Kunz would prefer to spend her summer than on the first floor of Seaver Science Center, engrossed in hands-on quantum computing research.

“One of the advantages of being here during the summer is the additional resources and focus typically reserved for PhD students,” shared Kunz, a physics major at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. “This experience has brought me closer to the research; I’ve truly enjoyed this summer.”

Kunz is among several undergraduate students from varying fields who have engaged in rigorous research activities since spring sessions concluded in May.

The summer period grants “uninterrupted time” for undergraduates to engage more deeply in research and work closely with mentors, as noted by USC Dornsife Professor Peter Kuhn, whose instruction and research also includes the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.

“This presents a unique chance for students to concentrate on their genuine passion,” remarked Kuhn, founding director of the Convergent Science Institute in Cancer within the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience.

“This enhanced involvement benefits both the mentor’s and student’s research. The student will have gained knowledge and practice throughout the previous year and can then hit the ground running in summer.”

Committing to a full day’s work

Throughout her summer pursuit, Kunz has dedicated her time to the hardware aspect of quantum computing and refining the simulation of superconducting circuits. She concentrates on enhancing device designs to tackle real-world challenges that conventional computers struggle to solve.

“I arrive at 9 a.m. and depart at 5 p.m., akin to a PhD student,” she stated. “It resembles an internship. It’s not solely about the science but also about conveying that science and collaborating with individuals who possess varying strengths.”

Kunz expressed her ambition to pursue this type of research for her own doctorate.

“I genuinely believe in quantum computing,” she remarked. “I am extremely passionate about it, and I think the hardware is the area where we can achieve significant advancements.”

USC senior Ayla Seddighnezhad has similarly invested lengthy hours in a laboratory at the Convergent Science Institute conducting immune profiling of healthy human tonsil tissue using nanoparticles.

The objective of the investigation is to track disease progression and enhance long-term cancer outcomes.

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“Putting in lengthy hours over multiple days has been invaluable and enabled me to contribute significantly to the project,” stated Seddighnezhad, who is simultaneously pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human biology from USC Dornsife and a master’s degree in drug development management from the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Her efforts are part of the Bridge Undergraduate Science Program, which requires a commitment of 30 hours weekly for 10 weeks. The extensive laboratory experience and practical research involve collaborating closely with a faculty member and working alongside a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or staff member.

“My mentor has been like a wellspring of knowledge for me,” Seddighnezhad remarked. “Being in close proximity to someone with such vast expertise who has been here for a long time taught me a great deal about the biomedical engineering aspect.”

Personal sacrifices for professional advancement

USC Dornsife senior Julian Moreno, majoring in neuroscience, dedicated his summer to supporting immunohistochemistry research in the Hires Lab. The lab’s research centers on technological innovations to assist in diagnosis and study within the cerebral cortex.

“My role is to guarantee that the fluorescent sensor we’re utilizing is uniformly expressed across the brain,” Moreno noted. “We aim to make sure that all the data we gather is precise and reliable and isn’t skewed by an excess of sensors in one section compared to another.”

Moreno initiated his research experience in the Hires Lab in the spring of 2024 and affirmed that he has developed crucial skills that are preparing him for medical school.

“Entering the research field was quite daunting because I lacked background knowledge on what research entailed and how it was conducted,” he explained. “Now, I possess a variety of skills I can utilize. It’s fulfilling to know what I’m doing and to know I can execute it effectively.”

His summer research initiative has also influenced Moreno’s priorities during his time at USC, even though it required him to forgo outings with friends.

“In the end, I understand that it will all be worth it,” he stated. “I have been able to grow not just as a scientist, but as an individual as well. I feel that my whole purpose in life is to contribute positively to society.”

The ‘preferred’ time for research

USC Viterbi senior Ana Sanson Leon has spent substantial time during the summer at the Dynamic Imaging Science Center (DISC).

“I wasn’t certain if engineering research would appeal to me, but once I began, I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Sanson Leon expressed. “I believe this is essentially what I want to pursue in the foreseeable future.”

She is spearheading a study that replicates a toolkit to quantify the distortions caused by metallic implants in MRI, enabling doctors to better evaluate their patients.

“You receive at least two months where you can wholly concentrate on research,” Sanson Leon remarked. “This has allowed me to complete this project. It gives me a tremendous sense of achievement.”

Sanson Leon, who is studying electrical and computer engineering alongside computational neuroscience, expressed her gratitude towards her mentors and the team at DISC who supported her throughout the summer.

“My preferred time of the year for conducting research is summer,” she shared. “Without other obligations during this period, I am entirely free to engage in research.”

Tiffany Wang, a senior focusing on human development and aging at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, has experienced similar freedom while investigating the protein actin and its effects on aging.

“I have managed to greatly develop my own research project,” she explained. “That capability to think critically and plan effectively is a crucial skill that I’ve refined this summer.”

Wang’s research seeks to investigate pharmaceutical strategies for addressing aging. Her motivation to assist the elderly comes from her deep bond with her grandmother, who raised her while her parents were employed.

“Most days, I find myself behind a microscope, checking on the worms, observing whether they’re alive or if they’re moving less,” she said with a chuckle. “At times, it can be tiring if experiments don’t yield results. But it reflects how much effort is invested in our research. It isn’t simple and demands substantial self-discipline and commitment.”

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