Scholar Spotlight
Akshay Patil
CNAS Scholar (Class of 2012)
About me:
During the summer (2008), I worked with Dr. Joel Sachs to study bradyrhyzobium japonicum and its symbiotic and non-symbiotic properties. I learned a handful of lab techniques including DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. In accordance with the CNAS Scholar's Program, I presented twice in front of Associate Dean Gary Scott and the other CNAS fellows and wrote a final paper. This helped me greatly in my subsequent 15-minute oral presentation at the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR). The overseers of the presentations at the conference urged me to apply for the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), and so my lab partner and I wrote an abstract, were accepted and gave an oral presentation at the University of Montana, Missoula.
When my sophomore year of school started I continued to work in Dr. Sach's lab for research units. He directed me and another undergraduate in the lab on our own project concerning the study of antibiotics. Dr. Sachs informed us that we would be co-authors on a paper relating to the research that we did in the summer as well the research we did in the summer as well as the work we are doing now, which is very exciting and fulfilling news for me.
I will continue working for Dr. Sachs (roughly 6 to 7 hours a week) because the program enabled me to partake in his lab, and quite frankly I'm enjoying every minute of it!
Thank you,
Akshay Patil
Akshay was one of 8 recipients of the CNAS Freshman Scholars Summer Research Awards in 2009.
Akshay worked with Dr. Sachs in the Biology department on Rhizobial Mutualism.
Akshay will be presenting at the Symposium for Undergraduate Research at UCR on May 7, 2010.