Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Gamaliel Luna Ahumada

This fall, the College of Science recognized ten outstanding seniors for their contributions in and out of the classroom. Gamaliel “Isai” Luna Ahumada is this semester's recipient from Neuroscience.

The College of Science caught up with Gamaliel to learn more about his experiences at the University of Arizona and what is on the horizon after graduation.

Why did you choose to study Neuroscience?

It’s a long story but it goes all the way back to high school, where I had no interest in science whatsoever. However, I was always curious about the reasons behind how people think or act. I was exploring these ideas through drama/theatre and filmmaking. Along the way, I stumbled upon the field of psychology and it provided useful insight into the human mind and behavior. It gave me a useful framework to improve and elevate my art. This intrigued me so then I started to take psychology courses. All my questions and curiosity in class lead me to the brain! 

I started to become interested in the physics, chemistry, and evolution of the brain. What really struck me as important though was being able to translate this knowledge to treat brain diseases. For example, I learned about the brain mechanisms underlying substance abuse, which is a deeply personal topic of mine. So, in summary, what drove me to neuroscience was being able to integrate multiple disciplines and ultimately serve the purpose of improving patient outcomes. 

Tell us about a class or research project you really enjoyed.

One of my favorite courses here at the UA has been Neuroscience 307: Cellular Neurophysiology taught by Dr. Marina Cholanian. This course is all about the biophysics and molecular basis for neurons signaling or “talking” to each other. After I excelled in the course, I was offered the opportunity to become a preceptor. In taking that opportunity I developed a passion for teaching. I find teaching to be so fulfilling. It is gratifying to see students experience the “aha moment” and engage with the class material.

I also learned how to tailor my language and presentation skills to better accommodate diverse learning styles. I feel it is absolutely essential to provide an equitable experience for all students. Overall, I learned how to better communicate science with my college peers and even carry over those skills to the public domain. In this time of uncertainty surrounding government funding for research, it is important for scientists to effectively communicate the importance of their research to the general public and politicians. 

What is one specific memory from your time at U of A you’ll cherish forever?

This memory is very special to me. It serves as a reminder of why I even do research in the first place. A few years ago, I joined the Camp Kesem chapter here at UA. Their goal is to provide a free summer camp for children whose parents are on a cancer journey. That summer I volunteered as a cabin counselor, where I led a group of eight-to-eleven year old boys. In the course of one week, you could see the huge impact that the camp was having on them. Despite the difficult circumstances that they faced, they were resilient and felt empowered. Near the end of the camp, many of the group volunteered to perform an act for the talent show. The fact that I got to witness their growth was so fulfilling. 

This reminds me of why we study diseases, in the hopes that we will cure them and improve the lives of people. In whatever I do, whether it be research or something else, I always do it with great purpose. I want to do my part to make the world a better place.  

What are you most proud of having accomplished in your time at U of A?

In addition to my teaching and community outreach, I feel very proud about the research that I do at the Martha Bhattacharya Lab. I work on multiple lab projects to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. We use a mix of genetic, biochemical, and microscopy approaches to address these mechanisms. I have had the privilege of traveling to national conferences to present our preliminary findings (read here: tinyurl.com/cshlarticle). I have also had the opportunity to be interviewed by Tucon’s KXCI Community Radio (listen here: tinyurl.com/gamaliel-kxci). My big takeaway is that science is a public good and should be brought to the community, not confined to benchwork or scientific articles.

What is next for you after graduation?

My main plan is to take a gap year before applying to graduate school and recoup my mental energy. I will spend more time with my family and restart some lost hobbies. However, in the meantime, I will also be working as a research technician.