Kaushani Misra
Graduate Student, The Fu Lab
You work in a laboratory. What are you currently researching?
I am a second-year graduate student in the Fu lab. My project involves studying particular tRNA modifications like 3-methylcytosine and how that contributes to the tRNA function and stability. Our lab has previously identified a protein (DALRD3) that is involved in performing this modification and mutations in the protein result in loss of the modification that also affects neurodevelopment. I am trying to find the reason and mechanism behind that using tissue culture and mouse models.
What advice would you give to prospective students looking to study in our department?
It helps to have an idea about the topics/field of biology you want to work on during your PhD, but sometimes it is useful to be open to new topics or areas in which you never have any previous experience. Because experiencing and learning new things can ignite an interest and you might end up following in future.
How do you think our biology department stands out in comparison to other universities?
I think it’s a very interdisciplinary department with labs working on various topics ranging from molecular biology to ecology as well as genetics and genomics. So, it gives the students an immense opportunity of research on many interesting areas of biology.
What do you enjoy most about working here at the U of R?
I like that U of R has a very friendly and accepting environment specially for international students and there are a lot of student engagement and social activities that one can participate in.
How do you unwind when you’re not in the lab?
I like watching movies and cooking when I am at home, and I like going for walks and little hikes during the summer and Fall season because Rochester is very beautiful during that time.