Christine Matei

Christine graduated from Arkansas State University in August 2017 with a B.S. degree in Biology (pre-medicine emphasis) and a minor in Spanish. She started working at Arkansas Biosciences Institute in 2013 with Dr. Luis Nopo-Olazabal as an assistant to laboratory safety and equipment management. Her undergraduate research project started in August 2015 in the Medina-Bolivar laboratory, and it was focused on the anti-obesity properties of stilbenoids derived from peanut hairy root cultures using a mammalian cell study system. Christine believes that laboratory research has also given her the opportunity to apply what she’s learned in a classroom and use it with a hands-on approach, which is a great way to learn. During this time, she has developed an analytical and critical thinking approach, and has helped her to improve her problem solving skills. The knowledge and experience she gained has advanced her career and being part of the research team of the Medina-Bolivar laboratory has turned into an engaging and encouraging learning environment. She has continued to volunteer in this laboratory after graduation.