Aurora Miranda, Yale University PhD Student in Chemical Biology
FROM LAB ANXIETY TO SCIENTIFIC CONFIDENCE
Written by Ariana Martinez, Saybrook 2027
Edited by Valentina Zhang, Branford 2028
During my first summer at Yale University, I had the pleasure of meeting Aurora Miranda, a second-year PhD student in Chemical Biology at Yale. Aurora works in the Davis Lab, where her passion for chemistry and ability to foster collaboration among fellow researchers, including undergraduate students like myself, made a lasting impression. The enthusiasm with which she described her research sparked my own interest in pursuing research at Yale and I knew I had to learn more about her journey.
Aurora’s path into research began during her freshman year of college when she decided to join a lab at her undergraduate institution. She was fascinated by the opportunity to see the techniques and concepts she learned in class applied in a real-world setting. While most of this experience was virtual due to COVID-19, the critical thinking skills she developed by reading research papers and considering their practical applications have been invaluable to her growth as a scientist. Reflecting on her time in that lab, Aurora recalls synthesizing a manganese complex as a major achievement that was the highlight of her junior year. But even with these successes, Aurora candidly shared that her early years in the lab were also marked by challenges, particularly anxiety surrounding the handling of expensive and delicate equipment.
“Every day, you’re working with thousands of dollars worth of equipment, and the fear of mishandling something was always in the back of my mind,” she admitted. “I struggled with the idea of damaging something I wasn’t familiar with.”
Her undergraduate principal investigator, Dr. Toledo, became an important mentor during this time, providing guidance and reassurance. “Dr. Toledo and I had a lot of conversations about my struggles with lab equipment,” she explained. “I eventually learned to embrace the discomfort that comes with learning new things. It’s crucial to be cautious with equipment, but mistakes are part of the learning process.” Aurora’s words resonate with me and she has continued to encourage me in the Davis Lab not to let mistakes define me. “It’s going to happen to everyone,” she emphasized. “A good researcher is someone who learns from their mistakes, not someone who never makes them.”
Currently, Aurora is focused on understanding protein stability and kinetics—critical factors in the regulation of protein function. She explained that when protein stability is disrupted, it can lead to a wide range of disorders. However, much of the current research on protein stability and kinetics is conducted in buffers, which do not account for the complexity of cellular environments.
“My current research is centered around the folding behavior of yeast frataxin (Yfh1), an iron-binding protein involved in the formation of iron-sulfur clusters,” Aurora explained. “I’m comparing the folding of Yfh1 in vitro and in E. coli to better understand which cellular interactions are crucial for its proper folding.”
In addition to her impressive research background, Aurora’s fun personality and creativity greatly enrich the atmosphere of the Davis Lab. For instance, one of Aurora’s favorite hobbies is arts and crafts, and she made personalized pipe cleaner flowers for everyone in the lab, tailored to our favorite colors and flower types. Aurora also has a tradition of wearing silly t-shirts to the lab, which adds to the lighthearted spirit she brings to the team.
“My advice to any undergraduate applying to a lab is to take your work seriously, but also remember to enjoy the process,” Aurora said. “You’re going to spend a lot of time with your fellow researchers and your PI, so make friends. The best lab environments are those that are both supportive and rigorous.”
From my own experience working with Aurora, I can confidently say that she exemplifies this balance. Every time I walk into the Davis Lab, I am excited not only because of the positive and fun atmosphere but also because I am constantly challenged to become a better researcher. Aurora’s combination of enthusiasm, mentorship, and dedication to research has made a lasting impact on me and has shaped my approach to both science and the process of learning.