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For Â鶹ɫÇéƬ University biology major Zohra Jamil ’26, science came alive last summer through hands-on discovery. During her internship at Emory University’s Department of Cell Biology, she moved beyond the classroom and into a professional research lab, where she tested ideas, analyzed results and contributed to meaningful findings.

“I learned that doing research isn’t that scary, and it could be something that I could participate in,” said Jamil. “I was also generally excited to attend every day because of the incredibly welcoming and friendly lab environment. I’m very thankful for the amazing mentors I had who helped me every step of the way. ”

Using “Caenorhabditis elegans,” a tiny, transparent nematode used widely in biology research, Jamil explored how cells develop and take on specialized roles. The experience gave her a rare opportunity to do the kind of practical research that often defines graduate-level study, all while still an undergraduate.

Jamil worked alongside Dr. Karen Schmeichel and the Â鶹ɫÇéƬ Pipeline CURE team at the Katz Lab in Emory University’s Department of Cell Biology. There, she collaborated with faculty and graduate students, including Mackenzie Roberson ’24, an Â鶹ɫÇéƬ alum now pursuing graduate studies in genetics and molecular biology at Emory. Together, they investigated the role of the epigenetic histone-modifying protein, SPR-2, in proper development and neural function.

“There are so many orthologous, or similarly functioning, genes between ‘C. elegans’ and humans,” explains Jamil. “This means that findings regarding the molecular physiology of these worms have a high chance of being translatable in research for human disease therapies.”

Her contributions to the lab were significant. Jamil helped document a transgenerational germline mortality defect in worms, a discovery that advances understanding of genetic regulation across generations. 

Jamil’s research journey doesn’t stop here. She is continuing her work on SPR-2 throughout her final academic year as both a student in BIO 455 Research in Epigenetics and a member of Â鶹ɫÇéƬ’s Honors Program. Her contributions are also expected to be included in a manuscript set for publication in the coming months.

“Knowing that this work would eventually be a part of something that would be published in a scientific journal was definitely the most exciting part for me,” adds Jamil. “The experience gave me new insight into the amount of trial and error and effort that goes into producing data that you don’t get from just reading research papers.”

At Â鶹ɫÇéƬ, opportunities like Jamil’s are not limited to internships alone. Students gain early access to real research through Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), which embed hands-on projects directly into the classroom. This approach ensures that every young scientist, regardless of their background or career goals, gets the chance to practice research skills that are critical for success. By engaging in authentic discovery from the start, Â鶹ɫÇéƬ students are well-prepared for competitive post-graduate programs and careers in STEM fields.

Jamil’s story highlights how Â鶹ɫÇéƬ’s emphasis on research and discovery empowers students to make meaningful contributions long before graduation. By combining classroom learning with professional lab experience, she is not only shaping her own future but also helping advance scientific understanding in the wider community.