Ź Student Tusti ’25 Presents Research at Brown University’s National Undergraduate Conference
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Tusti ’25, who is focusing on biology and film at Ź College, stood among a sea of scientific posters and passionate young researchers at Brown University’s Engineering Research Center. She was there as one of approximately 200 undergraduates selected from across the country to present at Brown’s inaugural National Undergraduate Research Conference, a first-of-its-kind student-run event designed to spotlight undergraduate work in medicine, biomedical research, and public health. It was organized by the Ivy League+ Pre Health Society.
Tusti was the sole representative from Ź, one of three students from Professor Amie McClellan’s lab whose research abstracts were accepted for the conference. While the other two weren’t able to attend, Tusti made the journey to Providence, bringing with her months of laboratory work, scientific inquiry, and a deepening passion for molecular biology.
Her research focused on a disease-associated variant of the VHL tumor suppressor protein, known as ∆exon2 VHL. Using yeast as a model system, Tusti explored how this mutant protein is degraded when key lysine residues are missing. Her findings hinted at alternative, non-canonical ubiquitination pathways and revealed how molecular chaperones might help direct this degradation process. “A particularly interesting finding,” Tusti explained, “was that deletion of certain molecular chaperones significantly stabilized the mutant protein, suggesting a role for these chaperones in facilitating its degradation.”
Tusti first began exploring questions of protein homeostasis and cellular stress responses in her sophomore year, drawn in by the hands-on research opportunities offered in Dr. McClellan’s lab. “The students have been working on their projects since the fall term,” said McClellan. “They not only conduct experiments but also read the relevant primary literature, drive their own project development, and engage in weekly lab meetings to discuss progress and troubleshoot challenges.”
In preparation for the conference, Tusti refined her research poster with help from McClellan. “One of the biggest challenges,” she noted, “was translating a highly technical molecular biology project into a visually accessible and engaging poster for a broad scientific audience. With thoughtful feedback from Amie, I refined the layout and visuals to focus on clarity and relatability.”
The day of the conference was as energizing as it was rigorous. Tusti spent the day sharing her findings, engaging in dynamic discussions, and fielding questions from peers, faculty, and industry professionals. She heard from keynote speaker , director of the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University.
“It was incredibly energizing to share my research in such a vibrant academic setting,” she said. “Being surrounded by such intellectual diversity was both humbling and inspiring.”
Tusti also found moments to connect beyond the bench. As a student of both biology and film, Tusti had unexpected yet fruitful conversations about scientific storytelling and the role of narrative in communicating research. “It was rewarding to share that interdisciplinary perspective—it sparked conversations about how we can better connect science with broader audiences,” she said.
For Tusti, the experience was more than just a line on a CV. It was an affirmation. “This experience reaffirmed my commitment to molecular biology research after graduation. I’m currently applying to research assistant positions, and the insight and encouragement I received at Brown have already strengthened my applications.”
McClellan sees this kind of conference experience as central to the Ź approach:
“We believe in learning by doing. Our students are not just helping in the lab—they are the ones conducting the research. That level of ownership and direct professor mentorship is rare for undergraduates. Experiences like this reinforce their scientific identity and help them see themselves moving on to research positions or graduate school in the field.”
“Plus,” she added, “it’s great for Ź science students to go out into the world and “meet their people”. These opportunities give our students visibility, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the scientific community.