Sophia P
- Research Program Mentor

PhD at University of California Riverside (UCR)

Expertise

applications of microscopy, parasitology, infectious disease, host pathogen interactions, bacteriology, immunology

Bio

I have been interested in how microbes make us sick since I was in elementary school. I was introduced to infectious diseases through shows on the Discovery Health channel like "Monsters Inside Me" and "Mysteries of the ER". I passionately pursued a high level science education at the University of California, Riverside, where I studied parasites and how they can affect our immune system. I then moved to Stanford University where I study chronic H. pylori infection in the stomach and how it can cause ulcers and stomach cancer. Outside of the lab, my passions are yoga and other types of physical movement. I teach yoga at a local studio, enjoy ceramics, spend lots of time hiking, and will never say no to a beach day! A cool fact about me is that I have traveled to over 20 countries by living among locals and staying with host families! I love seeing what this world has to offer and examining it through a scientific lens!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Writing a Science Journal for Teens Article

In this project, you will write a summary style article of a scientific primary research article of your choice. The primary article will be an interesting and recent paper explaining a scientific study in the broad field of infectious diseases. You will then spend time understanding the article in detail. To do this, you will learn how to conduct other literature research. Once you understand the primary science article, you will write a summary style article that explains the science in a way that middle school or high school students would more easily understand. This projects will allow you to develop a deep understanding of current primary research along with the laboratory techniques used to make this cutting edge discovery! Check out example articles on sciencejournalforkids.org

Infectious Disease Research Article

In this project, you will learn how to effectively search and compile research from current primary research articles in the field of infectious disease and immunology. You will be able to choose your topic focus and become knowledgable about research techniques and ideas in your chosen topic. Topics can range from how can microbes hide from our immune systems to focusing on a specific infection like malaria or Covid-19. You will learn how to read, write, and edit science.

Coding skills

Languages I know

German, intermediate

Teaching experience

I have been a mentor through every stage of my academic career. I started as a peer mentor working with students to help them achieve their academic and personal goals. I have experience mentoring diverse and international students from all backgrounds. My teaching experience ranges from hands on and virtual science activities and projects from the middle school up to the advanced degree levels. I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientific leaders and hope to inspire students to pursue high level science education.

Credentials

Work experience

Stanford University (2021 - Current)

Postdoctoral Scholar

Stanford at the Tech Interactive Museum (2022 - 2022)

Science Facilitator

University of California Riverside (2017 - 2021)

Graduate Student Researcher

University of California Riverside (2018 - 2021)

Graduate Student Peer Mentor

Education

University of California Riverside (UCR)

BS Bachelor of Science (2017)

Neuroscience