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Tara Yunkunis
Junior
Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering Option

Since September of 2006, I have been working in Dr. Cheng Dong's Cellular Biomechanics Laboratory. I am currently examining soluble factors excreted by tumor cells and how they aid these tumor cells in breaking through layers of human endothelial cells. My future work will include quantitative analysis tools for mapping these cellular interactions.

Why did you get involved in undergraduate research at Penn State?
I got involved in undergraduate research at Penn State not only because I found it fascinating but also because of the laboratory experience I would gain from it.

Beyond the results or findings of your research, what have you learned from this experience?
Firstly I have acquired a great deal of patience from working in the lab. There are many times that you won't get the results you were hoping for and find yourself at a dead end. Having to deal with these situations on a regular basis taught me to stay determined and reexamine the problem from a different angle. Working in lab also taught me how important collaboration with peers can be. I am currently working together with a graduate student which increases our producitivty while also creating a close friendship.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
I hope that working in a lab as an undergraduate will prepare me for any future job that I may come across. I will have learned many laboratory processes and also how to work as part of a team.

What would you tell a friend who wants to get involved in research?
I would advise students to get involved in research as early as their sophomore year. If they can find work they're really interested in, it'll be one of the best experiences of their life.