UW Science Now

Hear from UW students about their research on how cancer cells are like James Bond, how to ensure human-oriented robot safety and reliability, and take a deep dive into the world of proteins.

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Andrea Lius is a PhD candidate in the Department of Pharmacology who studies a process in the cell that can make cancer more aggressive. In her James Bond-themed talk, she compares cancer cells to secret agents like Bond—while both of which may seem invincible, they have characteristics that can make them vulnerable. She shares how cancer biologists like herself can expose and target these vulnerabilities to find new ways to kill cancer.

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Isaac Remy is a first-year PhD student in UW AeroAstro’s Control and Trustworthy Robotics Lab. His research focuses on ensuring human-oriented robot safety and reliability, with applications ranging from self-driving cars to space travel.

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Ria Sonigra is a PhD student in Molecular Engineering and Sciences, diving deep into the fascinating world of proteins—the tiny, tireless workhorses that power our bodies. Her research brings together biology and cutting-edge technology, using machine learning to design brand new proteins from scratch. Think of it as crafting secret recipes at the molecular level—where each ingredient is an amino acid, and the final dish can do everything from healing cells to building materials.

Presented by Town Hall Seattle and UW Engage.