Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Brenda Huang uses the research skills she learned in Dr. Rolfes' lab in her current job at the Columbia University Medical Center. (Courtesy Brenda Huang)

By LiAnna Davis

Brenda Huang entered Georgetown knowing that she wanted to major in biology. When she took a class in genetics, Huang discovered that this particular subject area within biology was the one for her. She joined the lab of Dr. Ronda Rolfes to get experience working directly on genetics.

“I found my entire experience working with Dr. Rolfes exciting,” she says. “I thought the research itself, regulation of gene expression, was very interesting. I have always known that I would like to pursue a career in research, and working in Dr. Rolfes’ laboratory has helped me to establish a strong foundation for such a career.”

Huang, a recipient of the Zukowsky Summer Research Fellowship, learned a variety of genetic research protocols while working in the lab, including basic ones, such as gel electrophoresis and miniprepping DNA, as well as more complicated ones, such as dut-ung site-directed mutagenesis and three-fragment ligation.

“When I tried to use these techniques for the first time, it was always exciting to see if I had done everything correctly,” she says. “In Dr. Rolfes’ lab, I worked on my own projects, and when I completed the projects, it was wonderful knowing that I had accomplished something.”

After graduating in 2007, Huang started working as a research technician in the Columbia University Medical Center. The lab she is working in specializes in genetic causes of mental disorders like schizophrenia. She has also begun to take courses on the side and hopes to apply these toward a master’s degree in biotechnology.

“Working with Dr. Rolfes has definitely prepared me for my current work,” Huang says. “While I was in Dr. Rolfes’ lab, I became familiar with a number of techniques that I need to use in my current lab, such as DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. When I left Georgetown, I was confident in my abilities, so when I found out that there was an open position at the Columbia University Medical Center as a research technician and saw what the qualifications were, I immediately applied.”

Huang says Dr. Rolfes provided the right blend of hands-on mentoring when Huang was starting in the lab, letting her have independence on her projects as she gained more experience.

“Dr. Rolfes provided me with as much guidance and independence as I needed in order to become comfortable with the work I was doing and develop my skills as fully as possible,” says Huang. “She had confidence in me before I did. From the very beginning, Dr. Rolfes told me she thought I was very good with my hands in lab. Though I didn't believe it at the time, I was happy to hear it. As a result, I wanted to prove to myself, and to continue to show her that I work well in a lab, so I was constantly pushing myself to try harder.”

This encouragement from Dr. Rolfes is what continues to drive Huang’s research, both at work and in her courses.

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