Tenaya Egbert

Where did you transfer from?

Normandale Community College

Why did you want to come to the University of Minnesota?

I came to the University because I want to be a biologist and do medical research. Additionally, I am excited to take advantage of the University’s new neuroscience minor.

What are you researching?

The aim of our project is to investigate the influence of different p53 isoforms on cellular senescence. Too much p53 activity contributes to the depletion of our body's ability to repair tissue, and too little p53 activity allows cancer to take root. Hopefully, our findings will allow us to determine a balance that presents the best of both worlds.

What have you gotten out of this experience?

From this experience, I have realized there are a wide variety of biology topics that fascinate me. I was planning on majoring in neuroscience, but now I think I will major in general biology because it will afford me a broader range of research opportunities. This experience has given me an opportunity to work with a bunch of great people and learn how things are done in a research lab.

What are some of your interests outside of school?

Art, fantasy/science fiction, strength training, video games, and spending time with my kitties.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to complete my biology major and neuroscience minor within the next year. During that time I will be looking for additional opportunities to participate in directed research. Following that, I will apply for graduate school and try to get a paid lab position.

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