KEYS interns help U of A researchers study cell membranes
From left: Aadhya Kondapuram, a 2026 KEYS intern from Basha High School, graduate mentors Zachary Bachler and Evelyn Cheng, David Jones, a 2026 KEYS intern from Pueblo High School, and graduate mentor Maya Arruda worked together on separate cell biology research projects in the laboratory of Michael Brown, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Arizona.
Two KEYS interns have helped University of Arizona researchers figure out how cells respond to the world around them. Under Michael F. Brown’s research team, interns David Jones from Pueblo High School and Aadhya Kondapuram from Basha Highschool have both contributed greatly to this cell research. By preparing lipid samples and using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer under the supervision of Maya Arruda, Jones has analyzed how cholesterol behaves within cell membranes. In addition to this, Kondapuram has worked with Zachary Bachler and Evelyn Cheng to learn how changes in a cell's environment affect rhodopsin.