Natural Sciences: Showmick Paul '25

Major(s) and minor(s)Showmick Paul research

B.S. in Neuroscience

Pronouns

He/Him/His

Hometown

Sirajganj, Bangladesh

Areas of interest/focus in research

I am currently working in the Brown-Majewska Lab at URMC, where my research is focused on the complex role of microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, in modulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the brain. My project investigates how microglia impact synaptic plasticity and neural connectivity through their interactions with the ECM.

To explore this, I am using an advanced microscopy technique called Two-Photon Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching with Spatial Fourier Analysis (2P-SFA-FRAP) on acute brain slices from mice. By analyzing diffusive transport within the ECM, my goal is to elucidate the dynamic relationship between microglia morphology and ECM hindrance, which could offer new insights into neurological disorders with aberrant synaptic plasticity.

Labs / departments / offsite programs where research was conducted

Current:

URMC Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering – Brown-Majewska Lab (PI: Dr. Edward Brown, Dr. Ania Majewska)

Past:

Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Science – Cattaneo Lab (PI: Dr. Roberto Cattaneo)
URMC Center for Translational Neuromedicine – Goldman Lab (PI: Dr. Steven Goldman)
UR Department of Biology – iGEM competition (PI: Dr. Anne Meyer)

About me...

I am Showmick Paul, class of 2025, majoring in Neuroscience. I am an international student from Sirajganj, a small town in the northwestern part of Bangladesh. I have the privilege of traveling to and enjoying the culture of 18 countries so far and have a goal of visiting all the countries of the world. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new places, cooking, playing instruments, watching TV shows, and indulging myself in a good book or research paper.

When I first started at the University, I had limited hands-on research experience but I knew I would be interested in pursuing rigorous scientific research. My research journey began with iGEM, where I developed synthetic biological tools for the maple syrup industry. I then honed my cloning skills in Goldman lab, working on AAV vectors for Huntington's disease treatment, followed by a transformative experience at Cattaneo Lab, where I developed a competition assay for measles virus to study their spread in the brain. Now, I am focused on my principal research project in the Brown-Majewska Lab, investigating microglia's role in modulating the brain's extracellular environment, which I plan to continue for my senior thesis.

As someone who's benefitted greatly from mentorship and guidance, my goal as a Research Ambassador is to inspire and support fellow students in finding their own paths in research. I want to help others discover their passion and experience the same excitement and fulfillment that comes from contributing to the scientific community.

How has your experience as a researcher influenced your career objectives?

My experience as a researcher has significantly shaped my career objectives as it deepened my understanding of the scientific process and its real-world applications. Working on diverse projects, from synthetic biology in iGEM to translational neuroscience at Goldman Lab, has taught me how field-level perspectives can direct and shape scientific inquiries, highlighting their importance and impact. These experiences have fueled my ambition to pursue an MD-PhD, allowing me to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and healthcare solutions, especially in resource-limited settings like that in Bangladesh.

Campus organizations, programs, activities, clubs, awards/distinctions

Clubs and Organizations:

  • International Students’ Association: Co-President
  • Bangla Bhasha: Cultural Chair
  • TA/Workshop Leader: (CHEM 171, CHEM 173, BIOL 198, BIOL 250L) Tutoring Center

Awards:

  • Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA), Society for Neuroscience (2024)
  • Recny Summer Research Fellowship (2024)
  • Best Mentor Award, iGEM Community (2023)
  • James P. Kirkgasser Memorial Scholarship (2023)
  • Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Mayo Clinic (2023)
  • Gold Award, iGEM (2022)
  • FLARE Grant (2022)
  • Research and Innovation Grant (2021)
  • Whipple Science and Research Scholarship (2021 – Present)

Fun Fact: when I'm not doing research you can usually find me...

playing music, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or watching movies or series.

Areas where I may be particularly helpful

  • Non-clinical Research Guidance
  • Finding your suitable mentor/lab/PI
  • REU/Grant/Fellowship Application
  • Science Communication
  • Seeking Career Development Opportunities
  • Time Management

What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?

Embrace the chaos! Think of research as a puzzle that keeps evolving. Sometimes, the pieces won’t fit right away, and that's okay! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they often lead to the best discoveries, or, at the very least, a funny lab story. And remember to celebrate the small victories, whether it’s successfully cloning a gene or just getting through a tough experiment without pulling your hair out. Finally, find your research tribe—having a supportive group can make all the difference.

Email me at: spaul10@u.rochester.edu