Fusing Physics and Genetics

There’s nothing like starting your APS presentation with some cardio.

This was my first-ever research presentation—a moment I’d been anticipating (read: slightly panicking over) for weeks. I had practiced my talk a dozen times, fine-tuned every slide, and even rehearsed how to answer tricky questions. What I didn’t rehearse? Sprinting to my session room and presenting first.

Thanks to a mix-up about the time slot, I had to book it and launch right into my talk without a second to breathe. Adrenaline: activated.

But once I was at the podium, heart pounding and breath short, I found my footing and delivered my presentation:
"Unraveling FGFR3-KHSRP: Physics in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer."

My talk covered the interdisciplinary work I’ve been doing for my honors thesis—merging physics, computational modeling, and cancer genomics. I presented structural results using AlphaFold and ApeGen, highlighting how we can analyze the FGFR3-KHSRP fusion protein and predict neopeptides that might be targeted in personalized mRNA cancer vaccines.

Here’s a quick look at what I shared:
🧬 Fusion protein structure and exon junction mapping
🧠 Computational modeling with AlphaFold + ApeGen
🧲 Physics-based approaches to immunogenic peptide prediction
💉 The goal: targeted vaccine design for pancreatic cancer

Despite the chaotic start, the room was incredibly supportive, and the questions afterward made me feel like people got it—that was the best part.

Even better? I got to watch my fellow undergrads share their work, and I was genuinely blown away. Everyone brought something unique and exciting, but I especially want to shout out the students from Angelo State University. Their innovation and dedication, all done without faculty advisors or research funding, completely floored me. They reminded me that brilliant science can come from anywhere if you’ve got the passion.

So yeah—first talk? Wild. Stressful. Exhilarating. Unforgettable.
And yes, I absolutely rewarded myself with some candy from the SPS table.

🎥 Watch the recorded presentation here:

Recording of my (anxiety ridden) presentation at the Texas section joint APS/AAPT meeting held at the University of Houston.

👩🏼‍🏫 Check out my slides here: