Alen Poehlman
Alen is a junior majoring in Biochemistry with a focus on infectious disease research. He first joined the Murphy Lab as an undergraduate researcher in his freshman year, where he studied immunology and vaccinology in the context of malaria. Inspired by seminars and conversations with researchers at UW, Alen grew a passion for translational science and the global impact of infectious disease research. As an Amgen Scholar, he continued his experience at UCLA in the Pernas Lab where he studied Toxoplasma parasitology, and the opportunity confirmed his intention to pursue a PhD. Currently, his research integrates bioinformatics into scalable pipelines to accelerate antigen discovery. He hopes to contribute to the development of novel mRNA vaccines to combat malaria worldwide. Being awarded scholarships is an opportunity to support his education and demonstrate his capabilities as a researcher. He is supported by the Levinson Emerging Scholars Program, which has funded his current project. Outside of the lab, Alen engages with his community through the UW Philharmonia Orchestra and broader local music scene, as well as volunteering opportunities both on and off campus. He is also committed to science communication and seeks to promote interest in research among students through presentations, peer mentorship, and the UW Microphiles Journal. Alen would like to thank every mentor in his research pathway, particularly Dr. Murphy, Dr. Pernas, Felicia, Caroline, Amy, and Melissa. Their guidance and support have been instrumental in his growth as a researcher and as a member of the research community.
Goals
Alen intends to pursue a PhD in Pathobiology. Beyond that, he hopes to work as a post-doctoral fellow and eventually lead his own lab focused on developing and improving vaccines for infectious diseases.
Tips
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