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Undergrads publish as first line authors in prominent developmental biology journal

by Lily Moseley, International Affairs and Economics

Northeastern University College of Science students are making strides in the realm of published research. Two senior undergraduate students, Pankhuri Singhal and Matthew Nguyen published research on the regeneration of limbs in axolotls as first-line authors in Development, a renowned developmental biology and stem cell journal.

Their article, Retinoic acid receptor regulation of epimorphic and homeostatic regeneration in the axolotl, explores axolotls’ cells’ ability to communicate with one another during the regenerative process. Northeastern biology professor and the project’s principal investigator, James Monaghan, described the aim of the project as “trying to decipher the inherent zip code” of cells that allows them to identify “what tissue is missing and what needs to be regenerated.” The research consisted of screening “thousands of genes to see which ones regulate the process” and resulted in allowing the researchers to identify “the coordinates laid down by the cells that can be used to engineer them.”

While the research itself is somewhat convoluted to the average person, one thing is clear: Nguyen and Singhal’s accomplishment of publishing research as primary and secondary authors, respectively, while still pursuing their undergraduate degrees is extremely rare. Nguyen noted that such an achievement is basically “unheard of” and usually the end goal of graduate students’ research.

Naturally, a lot of dedication and long hours were involved in making their dream of publishing a reality. Singhal described the daily time commitment as “being there at the beginning of the day, between classes and after your classes.”

In addition to their personal commitment to the project, both Nguyen and Singhal agreed that Monaghan played an essential role as a mentor and role model. Nguyen noted that in a field with a “publish or perish mentality,” it is “difficult to invest in the untrained,” but that Monaghan made the time and space to do so.

“Working with James has been instrumental,” Singhal said. “He’s at the forefront of the literature and has a vision of the direction in which the field is headed that not many scientists have at his age.”

Beyond the opportunity Monaghan extended to the young scientists, he also imparted some wisdom likely to have a lasting impact on their development. “James showed me what it means to be a scientist, how to do good science,” how to “ask the right questions and think like a scientist… and work collaboratively with your team members,” Singhal said. “He has given Matt and I the foundation to be the best scientists we can be.”

Presently, Singhal is applying to grad school and looking to pursue her degree in gene therapeutics. Nguyen is applying to MD/PHD programs and hoping to pursue research in the neurodegenerative field after practicing medicine for a few years. Both students will graduate from Northeastern this May.

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