Aging, neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic disease are all linked to mitochondria, structures within our cells that generate chemical energy and maintain their own DNA. In a fundamental discovery with far-reaching implications, scientists at the University of California, Davis, now show how cells control DNA synthesis in mitochondria and couple it to mitochondrial division.

Accelerated Development of Aging Researchers-Honors

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2024 ADAR-Honors Students
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Katherine Avila-Diaz, majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, researches diet-mediated sleep in Joanna C. Chiu’s lab in Entomology and Nematology. She tests the hypothesis that a high-fat diet disrupts sleep via compromising protein modification in the blood-brain barrier. After graduating, Katherine plans to enter the workforce before attending graduate school, applying her research experience to practical applications in health sciences.
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Nadya Berber, a third-year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major, studies mammalian proprioception in Theanne Griffith’s lab, focusing on NaV localization in aging mice. Her research aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying proprioception. Nadya aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Neurobiology after graduation, continuing her research to contribute to the advancements in the field and improve the understanding of sensory systems.
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Rogelio Castillo, a third-year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major, studies hypertension disease and tendon ruptures in Keith Baar’s lab. He translates his lab experience into insights on musculoskeletal health and its long-term effects on healthy aging. Planning to attend medical school post-graduation, Rogelio hopes to specialize in internal medicine or orthopedics, contributing to community health and wellness.
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Julianne Franco, a 4th-year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major with a Public Health minor, researches musical memory and involuntary musical imagery in older adults in the Janata Lab at the Center for Mind and Brain. She also studies synaptic function regulation in Alzheimer’s Disease in the Zito lab at the Center for Neuroscience. Julianne aims to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. to address Alzheimer’s Disease clinically and through research.
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Simone Subedi researches cognitive health in Rachel Whitmer's lab in Public Health Sciences, focusing on older adults' cognitive and brain health. She presented at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference on marital status and depressive symptoms in adults over 90. Simone aims to pursue a career in healthcare, concentrating on women's and reproductive health after graduation, leveraging her research experience to improve health outcomes.
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Alessandra Hernando, a Biological Science major, works in Smith’s lab in Briggs Hall on a micro-dystrophy project for muscle fibrosis. She presented her research at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference and plans to pursue a career in health and medicine after graduation. Active in various academic and extracurricular activities, Alessandra is committed to making significant contributions to her field.
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Madelynn Yung is majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, researching plant bioactives on vascular function with Roberta R. Holt in Nutrition. She presented at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research Conference and the 2023 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists. Social Coordinator Officer for LABS, Madelynn plans to pursue a Ph.D. focused on neurodegenerative diseases post-graduation.
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Catherine Zhang, a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major from Clovis, CA, researches how aging affects the cerebral cortex in Gregg Recanzone's lab in Neurology, Physiology, and Behavior. Currently, she investigates how distractors affect auditory discrimination. Catherine plans to attend medical school and become a medical professional, using her research background to enhance patient care and understanding of aging.

The UC Davis Accelerated Development of Aging Researchers-Honors Program supports diverse upper division undergraduate students who plan to pursue advanced degrees and research careers in aging-related areas.

ADAR-Honors is a two-year program that begins the summer after sophomore year and extends through spring of senior year. Outstanding juniors (or seniors who have two years left to degree completion), including transfer students, are invited to apply for this program. Students who did not participate in the lower division ADAR program are also eligible to apply.

ADAR and ADAR-Honors are funded by the National Institute on Aging.

Curriculum

ADAR-Honors is a two-year program for upper division students.

Junior Year
  • Summer includes full-time faculty mentored research; and participation in weekly meetings covering topics such as research ethics, effective presentation design, poster presentation, journal club.
  • Academic year includes part-time faculty mentored research; journal club; quarterly professional development seminar (BIS 198); presentation of research at a national conference and at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference; science outreach; special aging-related research seminars.
Senior Year
  • Summer includes full-time aging research at another institution
  • Academic year includes part-time faculty mentored research; journal club; quarterly professional development seminar (BIS 198); presentation of research at a national conference and at the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference

Support

ADAR-Honors
  • pays for a portion of tuition and fees
  • provides stipends to undertake research projects in UC Davis faculty laboratory during the first summer ($4,800) and academic years ($1,120 per quarter)
  • provides stipends to an extramural research experience at another university during the summer ($4,800, plus a cost-of-living allowance and travel expenses)
  • provides funding for conference attendance and participation
  • provides professional development opportunities and advising

ADAR-Honors Participant Obligations

  • commit 24 months to the program
  • engage in research 10 hours per week during the academic year
  • engage in research 40 hours per week during the summer
  • participate in a research program at another university during the second summer
  • attend all regularly scheduled meetings, program workshops and functions
  • meet regularly with an ADAR Honors adviser
  • register for and attend the BIS 198 seminar quarterly
  • maintain competitive GPA
  • actively engage in their research lab, attend lab meetings etc.