Stephanie Bickford is a freshman biochemistry major who is participating in Dr. Andy Ellington’s Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) stream. FRI is a program in the College of Natural Sciences which offers first-year students the opportunity to advance academically while performing cutting-edge, original, publishable research in chemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology, molecular biology, physics, astronomy and computer sciences.
Under the supervision of Educator Gwendolyn Stovall, Stephanie’s research focuses on finding aptamers, which are RNA or DNA molecules that bind to a specific target. Aptamers may used in therapeutics, diagnostics, drug delivery and systems biology. Aptamers, like antibodies, are highly specific. However, unlike antibodies, aptamers are easy and inexpensive to generate. Stephanie is only a freshman but says her experience as an undergraduate has been amazing. “I have been provided many opportunities to get involved in research. I have performed a little bit of independent research in the fall but was given the excellent opportunity to work with staff of Nucleic Aptamer selection. A field that I personally think will make a large impact on the future of medicine and systems biology.” After graduation, Stephanie plans to go to graduate school with the ending goal to do research, possibly in the area of cancer, stem cells or genetics.
Stephanie grew up in Chandler Arizona but quickly came to love Austin and takes advantage of the many opportunities for outdoor activities, attending museums, and seeing live music. She especially appreciates the exposure to so many new cultures. She is also a student athlete on the NCAA Women's Novice Rowing team and is involved in the S.H.A.R.E volunteer program.
