WashU Research Ambassador Program (WRAP)

The WashU Research Ambassador Program (WRAP) aims to increase awareness of and facilitate participation in undergraduate research across disciplines at WashU. Research Ambassadors, or "WRAPers," serve as the student face of the OUR. They help develop and support the office’s goals toward building pathways for all students to engage in high-quality undergraduate research experiences. 

Need advice on finding a research mentor or applying for a research program? Chat with a WRAPer - they're committed to supporting your research journey through peer mentorship. Use the appointment links below to schedule a meeting with any WRAPer, whose research interests and experiences are described in their profiles. 


Meet the WRAPers

Daniel Chen (he/him)

  • Year & Majors: Senior in Biology: Neuroscience and American Culture Studies
  • Research Area: Cell Biology
  • Research Topic: We are analyzing second-site suppressors of chaperones to rescue prion propagation as a homologous model for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type d1.
  • Relevant Experience: How to begin! (drafting emails to PIs/professors, interviews, what labs are likely looking for, picking a lab to join); applying for summer research programs (Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship, BioSURF); why research is important, and implications for future career paths; navigating being an undergraduate researcher (communication about boundaries, asking your own questions while working)
  • About Daniel: I am happiest when I am eating.

 

 

Charlie Fioriglio (he/him)

 

  • Year & Major: Junior in Chemistry
  • Research Area: Physical/computational chemistry
  • Research Topic: My work is focused on computationally modeling photodetachment
  • Relevant Experience: How to find and join a lab, conducting research in a field you have not taken classes on, applying for SURA, research in the physical sciences
  • About Charlie: I am really into Star Wars!

 

 

Ansley Lee (she/her)

 

  • Year & Major: Junior in Biology: Genomics and Computational Biology
  • Research Area: Biology, Genetics
  • Research Topic: Identification and functional characterization in cell-based systems for genetic disorders of pulmonary surfactant metabolism causing neonatal respiratory failure
  • Relevant Experience: Finding and connecting with research labs, applying for Bio 200/500 credit, participating in summer programs (PSRP), learning bio-related lab techniques, etc!
  • About Ansley: Fun fact: I need a sweet treat after every meal, bonus points if it's ice cream :)

 

 

Emily Lu (she/her)

 

  • Year & Majors: Senior in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Dance
  • Research Area: Psychology
  • Research Topic: Factors that influence children's responses to racial discrimination
  • Relevant Experience: Finding and changing labs, writing a research resume, applying to summer programs. Also happy to talk about anything related to experimental psychology!
  • About Emily: Outside of lab, you can find me rehearsing in dance studios, listening to music, or secondhand shopping.

 

 

Melina Marin (she/her)

  • Year & Majors: Senior in English and French
  • Research Area: Comparative Literature, English, Classics
  • Research Topic: My current project examines the Young Adult (YA) genre as a place for younger audiences to grapple with the question of difference and deviance (in terms of disability and queer representation), specifically in 2010s to contemporary YA novels that center discussions of monsters, magic, and sci-fi.
  • Relevant Experience: I'd be happy to talk about getting started (finding mentors, brainstorming research topics, exploring opportunities and fellowships); sending in applications/abstracts for programs, funds, conferences, and journals; getting to know the world of academic research and more!
  • About Melina: Outside of classes and research, I love to draw, crochet, cook, and read my guilty pleasure reads. 

 

Tata Toure (she/her)

  • Year & Majors: Junior in Biomedical Engineering
  • Research Area: Biomechanics
  • Research Topic: Measuring the mechanical properties of fibroblasts in the presence of adipose tissues and their signaling factors
  • Relevant Experience: I'd be happy to advise other students on applying for REU programs/summer programs, applying for conferences, doing an independent study (research for credit), and writing abstracts, research proposals, and reports.
  • About Tata: Fun fact about me - I've been rowing for 7 years!

 

 

Victoria Wright (she/her)

  • Year & Majors: Senior in PNP: Cognitive Neuroscience and Anthropology: Global Health & Environment
  • Research Area: Anthropology, Public Health, and Psychology
  • Research Topic: An ethnographic study of attitudes associated with menstruation hygiene management in eastern Uganda
  • Relevant Experience: Securing funding, finding and reaching out to mentors, mixed methods (qualitative/quantitative) data collection, applying for summer research programs (IPH, SURA)
  • About Victoria: I love hiking and nature walks :)