Undergraduate student research experience is an integral part of the Zhao lab

By Anoushka Kar, UW–Madison undergraduate/researcher

Photo by Dr. Xinyu Zhao

The Zhao lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is an exciting and dedicated research entity in neuroscience which focuses on brain development and developmental disorders. It offers opportunities to students of any age at the University and even provides a gateway to research for students in high school with or without prior research lab experience.

As a high schooler who graduated in May, I was given the opportunity to shadow researchers in the Zhao lab over the summer and learn about the various goals of each specific research group in the lab. Dr. Xinyu Zhao, professor of neuroscience and investigator with the Waisman Center, is the principal investigator and the Zhao lab is a part of the Department of Neuroscience and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center.

Zhao’s lab offers student experience in learning some basic procedures that the members routinely perform in the lab – first, to keep the equipment and lab areas sterile. These essential skills are taught during “chore days” that undergraduates actively participate in. In order to avoid contaminations, the lab members ensure a sterile environment by carefully handling materials, supplies, and equipment.

I also learned about the major study areas of the lab and was introduced to the role of neuronal RNA-binding proteins in brain development and pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as fragile X syndrome. I learned about the use of transgenic mice, human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs, ESCs), patient-derived and CRISPR gene-edited stem cells for understanding of neurodevelopment, with the goal of developing better treatment for brain disorders.

As student members of the Zhao lab become more experienced, they are tasked with conducting more sophisticated procedures, such as mouse genotyping. During these procedures, mouse DNA is extracted through a process called “tail DNA isolation” and then subjected for PCR analysis.

Undergraduate students can earn research credits for their training in the Zhao lab and are encouraged to present in UW annual Undergraduate Symposium. The 28th annual Undergraduate Symposium will be held April 17, 2026, at Union South and provides the opportunity for students to present their work in a professional setting. It also provides students with practical experience in public speaking and presentation skills.

Most of the Zhao lab publications have undergraduate students as co-authors.

Throughout all of these educational steps, students are mentored by other more experienced students.  Students helping students is key to the Zhao lab experience.

I was given the opportunity to shadow my mentor and other student researchers throughout the summer. I have learned the research protocols used in the lab and was given the opportunity to assist in the genotyping process, eventually graduating to more independent research work.

Much of what I discovered allowed me to see how these procedures were carried out by students and then the results are used for other procedures for research projects – how the processes build upon each other and provide necessary data.

Our research group used engineered E.coli bacteria for the production of “desired” recombinant DNA after having the transgene inserted into bacterial genome and growing overnight.

The E.coli bacteria is good at multiplying fast, so the lab uses E.coli bacteria as a ‘factory” to produce DNA needed for other experiments.

Extraction of this DNA is done in a different process – known as maxi/mini prep. The DNA is then used to study gene functions in mouse or human cells through transfection or transduction.

Rounding out my experience was the opportunity to be a part of a research team and participate in important lab meetings. These meetings covered research that graduate students or PhD scientists would present about every week. These presentations concerned various factors of developmental disorders, especially fragile X syndrome and autism.

As my experience in the Zhao lab over the summer progressed, I interviewed my mentor, Jenna Krantz, who is an undergraduate research assistant pursuing a nursing degree. I asked Krantz about her interests and experiences in the Zhao lab.

What made you choose Zhao lab? As a genetics major, I was looking for a lab that would fulfill my lab hours and found a neuroscience lab that accepted undergrads to give them the opportunity to learn about research one semester at a time. I wanted to give it a shot as it gave an approachable introduction to lab experience within the area of my interest.

What did you expect when you first came to Zhao lab? I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I was surprised with how much engagement and learning I found myself occupied with. I found myself really fitting in this environment and was excited to take in the opportunity to work over the summer in the lab. A lot of it was hands on right away, such as the chores, so it became engaging from the start. Over the school year and summer, you can get paid. All undergrads must do chores on chore days whether over the school year or summer.

How did you find yourself fitting in Zhao lab? More specifically, how did you find yourself handling responsibilities/doing tasks throughout your time here? Since the semesters during my first year in the lab were coordinated, I did chores, genotyping, and shadowed others to find my interests, then I was invited to join a project group. People can either be invited to project groups by expressing interest in the group’s work or just engaging with them in general during the first semester. After joining the project group, you start to handle procedures assigned by the project leader. I asked questions about these procedures to help me understand how they connect with each other and to the overall project. Additionally, after shadowing a procedure, we must write our own protocols to make sure we understood the procedure before replicating it.  Responsibilities are added as you engage more with the members of the lab throughout the semesters.

What initially drew you to your field of research? I liked the genetic aspect – how genes affect neurology. Since the lab works on developmental issues, there are genetics connected with the neuroscience the lab focuses on.

How has your research focus evolved after time? Though I started off wanting to do something genetics related, I found myself immersed with every aspect of the lab and grew an interest in all the things that were covered in the lab meeting, my project group, and my work overall.  The Zhao lab helps assimilate you into the experience by giving you tasks of repetition to understand lab basics, all while allowing you to shadow others and learn about the work being done during workdays and lab meetings. The responsibilities newcomers are given is to teach about the importance of maintaining a sterile environment. When I was tasked with chores and genotyping, I learned how crucial it was to not hover over or allow any piper tips to touch anything outside of the desired container, which was something I never thought about deeply before.  You find inspiration in the lab as you shadow and are tasked with new responsibilities over time. Joining project groups allows you to focus on more specific research, allowing you to take on more responsibilities within your specific interest.  Even more, the lab meetings help you get a general idea of the projects the lab focuses on currently. Additionally, my mentor mentioned one presentation that happens during the school year, and one during the summer:  the undergraduate symposium is mainly of posters and done during the school year (some classes offer you to do a poster, so people can do posters based on lab and class assignment combined). Data blitz is a slideshow everyone participates in, done over the summer. These presentations are easier to follow as you’ve come to know what research your lab mentors/mates focus on. During the semesters, all members of the lab prepare something to present for these presentations. So even as an undergrad, you’ll have chores, procedures to follow up on and a presentation to work on for an entire semester.

For more information for undergraduate students: The Zhao Lab accepts applications from undergraduate students at the beginning of each semester.  Eligible candidates are motivated freshman or sophomore students who are interested in a research career, maintain a science GPA of at least 3.3, and are available to work 25 hours/week in the summer. Undergraduates typically begin by performing laboratory chores for at least four months prior to joining a research team led by a graduate student or post-doctoral scientist. https://zhao-lab.com/opportunities/undergrads/