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Maiko K

- Research Program Mentor

PhD Doctor of Philosophy

Expertise

All biology, cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, genetics, creative writing, science communication

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.

How do cells divide perfectly every single time?

Most students have seen a movie of a dividing cell in biology class, but how does the cell actually accomplish that? Moreover, how does the cell divide perfectly and faithfully every time so that no genetic material is lost? What happens if this process makes mistakes and you lose DNA? This project will provide a window into the complex dance that our cells are capable of. You'll discover pathways, key molecules, a huge molecular machine called the mitotic spindle, and learn how this process affects diseases such as cancer along the way. You could write a research paper, a blog post (or two!), or let your creative mind shine through art, public speaking, etc - this project can work for all types of end goals :)

The intersection of science and creativity

Biology offers so many cool things to think about - some that you can see under a microscope, and others that you learn through techniques in the lab. It can also provide creative inspiration too! In this project, you'll learn to see science through a different lens and use your creative skills to explore a scientific topic of interest. If you're worried that your creative mind won't be compatible with your analytical, scientific mind, this is the project for you!

Interested in working with expert mentors like Maiko?

Apply now