Opportunities in the Sohl Lab
- What happens in a research lab? And in our lab in particular?
- In a research lab, we develop questions and design ways to test them, and ultimately tell our communities what we discovered. We learn and teach, we have successes and…opportunities to learn, and we challenge our ideas while supporting each other. We hope to synthesize new knowledge that advances our world’s collective knowledge.
- In our lab, we want to understand how human disease, and cancer in particular, works. We ask how altered enzyme activity, with a focus on metabolic enzymes, can lead to cancer. A single amino acid change can profoundly affect an enzyme’s kinetic profile, 3D shape, cellular activities, and tumor features.
- Because we want to empower all to persist in STEM if they wish, one of our collective goals is to make sure that everyone is welcomed, respected, and valued so that they feel empowered to take on the excitement and challenges of scientific research. This increases our abilities to positively impact human health through our discoveries.
- Thus, I am a fierce advocate for broadening access to STEM and STEM careers – our diversity is our superpower. In this lab, we welcome and support all the identities you bring with you, as these are what give you your unique passions, perspectives, and ideas that help us take on important problems that can benefit our communities (if you are new to SDSU, be sure to check out our campus cultural centers!).
- I remember being intimidated by research labs as an undergraduate (at least, once I finally figured out they existed!), feeling uncertain what life was like in a research lab, and if I would be able to belong, let alone thrive! If you find yourself enjoying learning about science and full of questions, then you may find you will enjoy research! The first step is to check out labs on campus and find a few that study topics that sound interesting to you. Even though it can seem scary, email the professor! We love to talk about science and to see folks get involved — it’s why we do the job that we do!
In our lab, we are recruiting inquisitive, dedicated and passionate undergraduate, MS, and PhD student colleagues to help us make a meaningful impact on improving human health.
For inquiries, please contact me (Dr. Christal Sohl) by email: csohl<at>sdsu.edu
Note: Graduate students need to apply through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and still welcome to also make an appointment to talk to Dr. Sohl about their research interests.
Here’s where to find us *we are not as close to the Costco as we appear 😉