An accumulation of experiences — from shadowing physicians to scribing for clinics to watching family members experience medical emergencies — set Stephanie Yang on a path of wanting to heal others.

Yang loves the interconnectedness of science and medicine and their dependence on each other to find treatments and cures to improve patients’ lives. The undergraduate found a perfect match for blending her love of science and healthcare when she began working in biochemistry at professor Ernesto Abel-Santos' lab in May 2023.

“We are researching pathogens that have a tremendous impact on healthcare settings,” says Yang, a biochemistry major. "It’s intriguing to look at pathological effects [of infections] with the hope of one day moving into clinical trials to find a cure/treatment plan."

Yang will graduate in spring 2025 and plans to attend medical school.

“I enjoy the challenge in understanding the interplay between medicine/science and the human body," says Yang. "This has fueled my motivation because of the opportunity to solve complex problems and work in a dynamic, ever-evolving field.”

The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV is at the top of her list as she hopes to remain close to home to maintain her local support system. Born and raised in Las Vegas to parents who immigrated from South Korea, UNLV has not only provided many opportunities and extracurriculars, but also fulfilled a priority for her to be close to family. If she is accepted into medical school here, Yang says she hopes to continue her research in the Abel-Santos lab in some capacity.

“If it wasn’t for UNLV, I wouldn’t have found this biochemistry research lab, which has taught me so much about these impactful bacterial organisms."

Undergraduate research has helped her thrive

As an undergraduate researcher, Yang has been looking at various aspects of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections. C. diff bacterium can cause diarrhea and inflammation of the colon. The infection can be life-threatening, especially among adults aged 65 and older. C. diff doesn’t have a reliable cure, so this research is crucial to finding new ways to prevent and treat infection. 

“There hasn’t been much research done on improving treatments and working toward better preventative measures for C. diff, which is why learning new things during my research is very exciting. I hope that one day the research I do can be of some benefit for healthcare professionals and patients,” says Yang.

This focus on research has paid off as Yang received the 2024 Undergraduate Researcher of the Year award from UNLV's Office of Undergraduate Research. 

“It’s rewarding to know that my PI [primary investigator] and graduate students I work with in the lab believe in me and my capabilities to even consider me for this nomination. It is motivating to know that I am also recognized for the hard work that I have put into my research because I genuinely enjoy the research I do and the collaboration that comes from it,” says Yang.

Read on to learn more about Yang and her research in the biochemistry department.

Tell us about your research.

There are a few projects our lab is investigating such as: impacts of sexual dimorphism and diet on (C. difficile infections) and MRSA (S. aureus infections) in female and male rodent models, respectively.

I work with these experiments with a priority toward how diet impacts the severity of CDI and MRSA in male rodents. I also work with both C. difficile and MRSA (BSL-2 organisms) and observe their impacts and severity through these different experiments.

Our research has shown that for the diet studies, high-protein diets are observed to have more severe infectious symptoms compared to high-carbohydrate and high-fat diets in both bacterial organisms.

What excites you about the research you are doing?

I have learned a lot about aseptic technique – a set of practices that aims to prevent the introduction of pathogens into patients during medical procedures – and how crucial it is to maintain a clean and sterile environment when working with BSL-2 organisms. I have also gained experience in completing DNA extractions from the fecal samples collected from the rodents.

I appreciate working in a lab that encompasses all sides of the research so that we are able to collect the fecal samples, but also do the work of extracting the DNA from those samples, which is then sequenced and analyzed for changes to the gut microbiome. It’s exciting to be able to see this process through from collection to analyzation. 

Also, the collaboration with the Ph.D. students and my PI, Dr. Abel-Santos, has shown me the importance of teamwork. Our sharing of ideas to create protocols for experiments helps me to see a similar process to medical settings where you are working together to develop the most efficient treatment plans and best outcomes for your patient.

These healthcare implications of my research are exciting as my ultimate goal is to someday benefit healthcare professionals and patients with my work. 

How does your research help the general public? 

Ultimately, the goal of this research is to develop methods to combat CDI and MRSA infections in the gastrointestinal tract. Although MRSA is mainly known for skin infections, they also affect the small intestine and cause gastrointestinal disease and have been researched very little compared to other things. Both bacterial organisms also cause hospital-acquired infections with a lot of underlying causes that many people don’t know.

With my research, hopefully it allows the public to be more aware of the causes of these infections, but also for those in healthcare to develop treatments and other preventative measures against these infections. 

This research also shows that antibiotics are not always the solution to getting rid of these bacterial infections as antibiotics can clear the gut of good bacteria, leaving the gut vulnerable. This can also make antibiotics ineffective in treating these infections.

What’s next for your research and after you graduate in 2025?

We have many projects lined up, starting off with repeating the experiments we have already completed and adding new variables to study. Our lab is also looking at different compounds which will prevent the germination, and thus the proliferation of the bacterial organism. If we can test these compounds in rodent models we can see how effective they are in preventing the disease outcomes we see with C. diff infections.

Although antibiotics can be helpful in clearing the bacteria, it isn't a long-term solution considering the rapid growth of antibiotic resistant-bacteria, which is why we turn to other compounds that can prevent C. diff from even getting to the vegetative cell state that releases toxins. There’s a lot more research to be done in 2025 and beyond.

After I graduate in 2025, I plan to attend medical school. I am inspired by the ability to work closely with patients, helping them heal or manage chronic conditions, and the sense of fulfillment that comes with contributing to the well-being of others.

What has working in the Abel-Santos lab meant to you as a student and researcher?

Professor-student interactions had always intimidated me. Dr. Abel-Santos is the first professor I was able to build a genuine connection with — building from a professional relationship to a point where I am not afraid to ask questions. He has expressed so much kindness to me and has always been an amazing mentor who has helped me prepare for research presentations to the best of my ability.

When Dr. Abel-Santos isn’t in the lab, the graduate students have also been my mentors in my research and career aspirations. They provide me with insightful advice on how to proceed with experiments/procedures as well as other topics outside of the lab. I have made strong bonds with the graduate students in the lab along with the other undergraduate students where we are constantly collaborating and working as a team. 

You are also part of the Life Sciences Student Association (LSSA). How has that added to your educational experience?

I joined LSSA in my second year at UNLV starting off with a mentor to guide me. I learned so much from him in terms of research, study habits, and other opportunities around UNLV. He inspired me to become a mentor myself because I wanted to help other students the same way he helped me.

Along with being a mentor, I took on the role of pairings committee chair in pursuit of further helping undergraduates find their footing in college by pairing proteges with the right mentors. I understand the importance of a support system, which is what the LSSA is about, and to be the pairings chair was pivotal for me. I wanted to set up pairings and match them as best as possible to provide the most positive experience in our club. 

With an interest in contributing more to the club, I became the vice president to take on more responsibilities and oversee more of the events that the LSSA holds. This position allows me to focus on my communication and leadership skills by collaborating with other faculty, staff, and students. 

What are other highlights from your academic career that you are most proud of?

I presented at the OUR Fall 2023/Spring 2024 Symposium for the lightning talk podium presentation. This was my first-ever college presentation, which was very nerve-wracking for me because of my fear of public speaking. I had never done a big presentation, let alone a research presentation for a big event with a bigger audience.

My main goal was to gain experience and exposure to public speaking. As nervous as I was, I rehearsed a multitude of times and it paid off in the end because I was able to deliver my presentation with confidence and ease. The most memorable part of the event was seeing my family, friends, and lab there to support me. That truly meant a lot to me. 

Also, I am looking forward to graduating in spring 2025 as I will be the first in my family to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree in the United States and pursue a career in medicine. My parents have sacrificed so much to help me get to where I am, and for me to graduate shows that I can provide for them in some way by making a commitment to my career path.