By Yosef Scher, Senior Science and Technology Editor
Yosef Scher (YS): Hi Isaac (IS). Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. Let’s start by getting to know you.
IS: Hi Yosef! My name is Isaac Silverman. I am from Brooklyn, New York. I am a pre-med student in my third year at YU, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and economics. I am also the co-founder of the Yeshiva University Journal of Medicine and Dentistry, which showcases student research (yumeddentjournal.com).
YS: Whose lab do you work in, and what do you study?
IS: I work in Dr. Radhashree Maitra’s lab, which focuses on combating colorectal cancer. I am involved in her dry lab, which investigates protein pathways involved in oncogenesis. I work on molecular dynamics simulations between proteins to analyze their binding mechanisms, kinetics, and structural modifications. I also investigate protein mutations and their effect on the interactions.
YS: How did you get involved in this research?
IS: I was in Dr. Maitra’s Principles of Biology course during my first year at YU and really enjoyed it. Dr. Maitra mentioned that she was establishing a dry lab in addition to her wet lab. I had an interest in computational biology and thought it would be an incredible opportunity to explore the field more. I am very grateful for Dr. Maitra accepting me as one of the students to spearhead this.
YS: What did you hope to gain from this research experience?
IS: I wanted to develop a deeper understanding of biology from more than just textbooks. Being a part of Dr. Maitra’s newly established dry lab has allowed me to investigate intricate parts of biology. Since I started my research in her lab, I have also had the privilege of presenting my research at the 2023 and 2024 annual American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) meetings, during which I met research professionals and got feedback on my work. Learning from other researchers at the conferences has dramatically improved my biological knowledge.
YS: What role do you play in this lab?
IS: I am working on a few projects involving protein to protein interactions. I am responsible for generating molecular dynamics simulations between proteins and analyzing them using energy scoring and structural analysis software. Dr. Maitra and I meet twice a week to analyze the data and draw conclusions.
YS: Is there anything you encountered that was especially difficult during the research?
IS: Learning how to install and run all of the software was filled with troubleshooting. Almost every time an obstacle was overcome, another popped up soon after. I have gained the skills of patience and problem-solving. Once I surpass the issue, it is an incredible feeling. As I embark on new projects, each is filled with these moments of frustration, but I stay determined to find solutions.
YS: What did you find most interesting about your research?
IS: It has been fascinating to visualize and quantify protein interactions using the computer software. In classes like Cell Biology and Biochemistry, I learn about the function of proteins as concepts, but actually being able to perform experiments and conduct in-depth analyses in proteomics is incredibly valuable to me.
YS: Lastly, do you have any advice for students interested in lab positions?
IS: It is very important to form strong relationships with your PI (principal investigator). I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to conduct research with Dr. Maitra. She has provided me with constant guidance and support throughout the process. Her encouragement to push boundaries and explore things further has expanded my mindset of the scientific realm. Dr. Maitra is tremendously knowledgeable about numerous fields of biology, and I truly appreciate having her as my mentor and professor.