Ethan Chang, COL ’26, Kingston, Jamaica
This summer, I had the opportunity to work in the Baumgart Lab under the guidance of Dr. Tobias Baumgart, where I studied the binding of His-Tagged Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) to different lipid compositions. To investigate these interactions, I created Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs) using electroformation and Large Unilamellar Vesicles (LUVs) through extrusion, both of which served as model membranes to mimic the lipid bilayer of cells. I applied the Single Liposome Curvature (SLiC) assay to examine binding events and used fluorescent microscopy to image the results. I also became familiar with Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), which allowed me to measure vesicle size distribution and confirm the consistency of my preparations. Many of these experiments required days of preparation yet allowed for only a short window of imaging. Experiencing this balance between extended effort and brief data collection gave me a new respect for the patience and precision that scientific research demands.
One of the most valuable lessons I took away from this experience was the importance of perseverance. Experiments rarely worked on the first attempt, and I often had to search through scientific papers, adjust protocols, and repeat steps many times before obtaining reliable results. The SLiC assay in particular required repeated refinement, and there were moments when my efforts felt frustrating or unproductive. However, each attempt provided new insights into what needed to change, whether it was adjusting ratios or re-evaluating incubation times. Rather than viewing these setbacks as failures, I came to see them as integral to the process of discovery. This mindset of treating obstacles as opportunities for growth taught me resilience, patience, and creative problem-solving, skills that extend well beyond the lab.
Perhaps most importantly, this research experience helped me connect the rigour of science to my long-term aspiration of becoming a physician. In medicine, as in biochemistry, progress often requires persistence, critical thinking, and the ability to learn from both successes and setbacks. Understanding the molecular details of how proteins interact with cell membranes deepened my appreciation for how small-scale processes shape larger biological outcomes, including health and disease. My summer in the Baumgart Lab reminded me that medicine rests not only on clinical practice but also on foundational research. Having the chance to contribute, even in a small way, to the body of knowledge in biochemistry has strengthened my resolve to pursue a career where I can bridge the lab and the clinic, using scientific curiosity and perseverance to better care for patients.
Finally, I am deeply grateful to have had this opportunity, which would not have been possible without the support of the summer funding grant. This assistance allowed me to dedicate myself fully to research, develop skills that will shape my academic and professional journey, and confirm my passion for pursuing medicine.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2025 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
