My BRAVO! Summer: Chasing Sphingolipids in the Lab and Summits in the Swiss Alps

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This summer, I had an amazing opportunity to conduct a research project in Lausanne, Switzerland through the BRAVO! Program. I worked at EPFL (the Swiss Federal Technology Institute) in Dr. Giovanni D’Angelo’s lab, in collaboration with Dr. Ashley Snider’s lab at the University of Arizona.  My research project investigated whether two commonly used sphingosine probes, pacSphingosine and sphingosine-alkyne, are metabolized the same as the native lipid they are meant to track.  Using click chemistry, lipidomics, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), I identified differences in how these probes are metabolized.  This is important because differences in how a probe is processed can give researchers a misleading picture of sphingolipid biology.  Understanding how these probes behave will help researchers better choose and interpret the tools used to study sphingolipid signaling pathways and, ultimately, identify potential therapeutic targets.

Beyond my experiments, one of the most meaningful aspects of my time at EPFL was being immersed in an international research environment.  In my lab, I got to work alongside researchers from different countries and scientific backgrounds. It was fascinating to learn about the diversity of research projects, from embryology to understanding the resilient traits of tardigrades.  Even at lab meetings where students were working on entirely different questions than mine, everyone brought genuine curiosity and investment into each other's progress.  It reminded me that scientific progress often comes from sharing ideas across disciplines and being part of a community that values feedback.

Outside of the lab, I had such an incredible experience exploring Switzerland. The language barrier was challenging at first, and I was a little intimidated by having to figure out public transportation in French.  But I slowly began to get more comfortable and gained more confidence to really make the most of my time and explore.  On the weekends, I explored the Alps every chance I got.  I went hiking in the Appenzell mountains, stayed in a mountain hostel in the small village of Gimmelwald, visited the famous Lake Oeschinesee, and embarked on so many other unforgettable adventures.  On quieter evenings after lab, I liked to pack a picnic and a good book and unwind by Lake Geneva – with Swiss chocolate for dessert, of course.  At the end of the summer, I was surprised by how quickly I’d adapted and how much I’d come to love the slower pace of life.

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Some of my favorite memories from this summer come from the friendships I made.  I cherished the sense of community in my lab, from pizza Fridays to evening aperos after work.  I was also lucky to grow a special friendship with my Airbnb host, who shared stories from her travels around the world and taught me some of her favorite recipes as we cooked together in her kitchen.

This summer was such a memorable and life-changing experience.  It allowed me to grow so much through learning how to navigate life in a new country, overcome obstacles in the lab, and grow more independent.  It also reaffirmed my passion for research and my goal of pursuing it in my future career.  I would like to express my gratitude to the Snider lab, the D’Angelo lab, the BRAVO! Donors, and everyone else who helped make this summer one of my most memorable yet.