Sophie López

 I’m half Puerto Rican and Iranian, and I was raised in Northern California. I'm a student researcher in the Chalfie Lab, where I study the genetics of drug sensitivity and resistance in C. elegans. Because approximately one quarter of the global population are infected with parasitic nematodes—and these populations tend to be the poorest communities in nations neglected by the Western world—this knowledge informs researchers about how to synthesize more efficient drugs to treat nematode infections. 

 

I joined SACNAS+ because I was looking to connect with the Latinx community in STEM. As a part of SACNAS+ at Columbia, I’ve had the amazing experiences of attending the 2022 STEM National Diversity Conference, meeting new friends, and connecting with faculty over scientific research. I am now the SACNAS+ secretary, where I coordinate events and create the newsletter. During my time in New York, I have enjoyed experiencing the music, art, food, and celebrations that the city has to offer. Feel free to reach out to talk about anything science, C. elegans, Puerto Rican, Iranian, or foodie-related!