Paloma
Ruiz
Hometown: Cary, NC
Major: Quantitative Biology, with a minor in Creative Writing
Research Interest: Epigenetics; cancer biology
“What drew me to CSS was the opportunity to have a strong support network full of like-minded scholars and mentors that would encourage me to excel in all my undergraduate endeavors.
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE CSS PROGRAM?
What drew me to CSS was the opportunity to have a strong support network full of like-minded scholars and mentors that would encourage me to excel in all my undergraduate endeavors. Even more importantly, this wonderful group of people will continue to support me beyond undergrad, which is such a rare and unique part about being in CSS.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE CSS EXPERIENCE SO FAR?
My favorite experience in CSS was living with my cohort freshman year. College is a big adjustment and starting the year with 40 of my closest friends was an amazing thing. Not only was I able to deepen my bond with my cohort, but I was able to study together, go to meals together, and make so many memories all year long.
HOW HAS CSS SHAPED YOUR CAREER GOALS?
Through CSS, I have been supported to succeed in all areas in STEM. They motivate me to excel in my research and classes, and help me seek out opportunities to further my knowledge. With CSS and the support of its coordinators, I conducted research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard through the Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) during the summer of 2020. This experience completely reshaped my interests in science and allowed me to have my first published paper!
WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY RESEARCH INTEREST?
My areas of interest in research are epigenetics and cancer biology. I’ve conducted epigenetic research in the Strahl Lab in the School of Medicine since my freshman year. In simple terms, I study the reader protein, PBRM1, and its associated BAH domains that interact with histones that wrap around DNA. I am trying to understand the functional role of the BAH domains in chromatin remodeling and its affect on gene expression.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- 2021 Goldwater Scholarship
- 2020 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
- 2020 Broad Summer Research Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT
- 2020 Hayden B. Renwick Academic Achievement Award
- CSS Distinguished Scholar Award
- Dean’s List