Research Rookies Student Profiles

Name: Justin Durancik

Cohort: Sophomore/Transfer Research Rookie & Simmons' Scholar

Major: Biological Sciences

Hometown: Rochelle, Illinois

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ana Calvo

Sophomore Justin Durancik wants to become a dentist. He had braces for a long time, so he visited the dentist frequently. He quickly discovered that he liked the environment of the dentist’s office, and that he was interested in what a dentist did. He has always been good at mathematics and the sciences, which only reinforced his idea of a healthcare profession. Now, Justin’s goal is to have his own dentistry practice someday.

Research felt like the right step for Justin as he entered his sophomore year. He wanted to gain research experience, to help prepare himself for dentistry school, and learn molecular/microbiology techniques. He found he would be able to accomplish this through the Research Rookies program, by working in Dr. Ana Calvo’s lab. Justin says he enjoys working in Dr. Calvo’s lab because she is very involved, takes time to explain information to him, and because she works with other students as well.

Justin’s project is working with fungi to observe how the CLP protein affects the secondary metabolism of the fungi. Essentially, he will be looking at certain deletions of the DNA sequence to learn its effects on the second fungal metabolic process.  Justin is currently studying articles and gaining basic information about the topic prior to beginning his actual work, but he is looking forward to starting his project very soon and finding results.

Justin on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means gaining research experience to build upon later and making relationships with faculty members.”