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Gian Sepulveda is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics (GPGG). His research in the lab of Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Alla Grishok focuses on the interaction between the sole H3K79 methyltransferase, DOT1L, and the proto-oncogene c-MYC. He is also a Community Catalyst Center mentor in the gPLUS and gGLOBAL affinity groups. Gian defended his dissertation in March 2024 and will graduate in May 2024. <\/em><\/p>\n Read more about Gian below!<\/em><\/p>\n My dissertation focuses on the interaction between the sole H3K79 methyltransferase, DOT1L, and the proto-oncogene c-MYC. More specifically, I studied how DOT1L regulates c-MYC-driven transcription by regulating the c-MYC degradation cycle on chromatin. I went into my PhD wanting to study something related to molecular mechanisms and signal transduction, but I also realized how important the lab environment is for having a positive experience as a doctoral student. I was fortunate enough to join the lab of Dr. Alla Grishok, where the project I ended up pursuing explores the unexpected role of DOT1L on c-MYC, and how the perturbation of this biological process can potentially translate into disease states. I was fortunate to be under her mentorship and guidance and in a lab environment that fosters friendship and discourse.<\/p>\n During my bachelor\u2019s degree, I was able to explore many different research topics ranging from worm phylogenetics to circadian rhythms and T-cell signaling. These research experiences fostered my curiosity and inspired me to pursue a PhD. At the same time, because of the wide range of topics I studied, it left me confused as to what particular topic I would like to focus on. I thought that my time as a PhD student would be the perfect time to figure that out.<\/p>\n It really varies, especially during the beginning stages of a project. I used to be in the lab before 9:30 a.m., but nowadays, I come in at around 10:30 am. I am not a morning person, so I tend to keep the more routine work in the morning and the work that requires more brain power, like reading papers and planning future experiments, in the afternoon. I try to leave the lab before 7 p.m., depending on when I get there.<\/p>\n The whole lab went to Glasgow, Scotland, for the C. elegans conference in 2023. It was my first international conference, and it truly was a blast. Dancing in the club with a Nobel prize winner was a fever dream.<\/p>\n Sometimes in a project, there can be differing opinions on the direction it should take. Clear communication and transparency are key to resolve them. This is something I learned to be more conscientious of during my PhD.<\/p>\n In the short term, I will be working under my current PI as a postdoctoral fellow to finish the revisions for our paper. I plan to then transition into an industry position, since I have fallen back in love with benchwork. When my love for performing experiments wanes, I think I will explore a role in science communication.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to do what you love. Don\u2019t lose yourself to work. Maintain a good balance between work and play. It will keep you sane.<\/p>\n Since the pandemic, I\u2019ve started riding my bike as my main means of transportation. I love going around Boston and experiencing the outdoors on two wheels. My friends also know me as a musical\/theater enthusiast. I have been making good use of my student status through Student Rush and student memberships in various theater performances in the city.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gian Sepulveda is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Genetics & Genomics (GPGG). His research in the lab of Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Alla Grishok focuses on the interaction between the sole H3K79 methyltransferase, DOT1L, and the proto-oncogene c-MYC. He is also a Community Catalyst Center mentor in the gPLUS […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20706,"featured_media":97870,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[795,54,7074,1534],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97869"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20706"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97869"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97874,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97869\/revisions\/97874"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nWhat did you complete your dissertation research on and how did you settle on that topic?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Why did you choose to do a PhD?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
How would you describe a typical day as a PhD student?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What is one of your best memories from the time in your PhD?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Did you face any unexpected challenges during your time in your program? How did you overcome them?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What are your next steps and your plans for your future?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Do you have any advice for future PhD students or anything else you would like to share?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What do you like to do for fun in Boston?<\/strong><\/h4>\n