Arpa Ebrahimi is our inaugural graduate student of the quarter. She was born in Tehran, Iran, and immigrated to the U.S. when she was a teenager.
In her junior year of College at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), she met Dr. Xin Wen, a dedicated teacher who sparked her research interest and guided her exploration. Initially, Arpa was her biochemistry student and had her first research experience under her guidance. What captured her heart about Oregon State University (OSU) is the wonderful mix of qualities that make it a fantastic place for her academic and research journey. The friendly atmosphere, both in the stunning natural surroundings and the supportive community, truly drew her in.
Dr. Claudia Maier has been an exceptional mentor during her time at OSU. She’s consistently guided Arpa in her research direction and helped her develop an analytical mindset to approach biological questions with precision. Under Dr. Maier’s mentorship, she has honed her ability to think like a scientist, effectively utilizing advanced analytical tools to uncover meaningful insights. Dr. Maier has also emphasized the importance of precise scientific communication, encouraging her to become a better presenter and to pursue grants and opportunities to advance her career actively.
At the start of her graduate journey, the pandemic brought some tough challenges. She couldn’t access the lab or work hands-on, and she missed the chance to connect with her lab mates in person. On top of that, being away from her partner for a year was hard, but it taught her a lot about resilience and finding ways to stay motivated during tough times. She attributes her academic success to perseverance, mentorship, and curiosity for science. Perseverance helps her navigate challenges, from setbacks to balancing responsibilities. As a science student she’s been fortunate to receive many fantastic opportunities that have shaped her career. She had an internship opportunity at the University of British Columbia, which led to an exciting collaboration with Dr. Leonard Foster’s lab. She also worked with HP Life Sciences, contributing to the development of single-cell dispensers that are now widely used in the single-cell omics community. Collaborations with the BENFRA project, which is the botanical dietary supplements research center that investigates botanicals enhancing neurological and functional resilience in aging, as well as with Dr. Siva Kolluri’s biochemistry lab on cancer therapeutics, have expanded her experience in cutting-edge research. Additionally, she’s presented at numerous international conferences and received several prestigious fellowships, including the NL Tartar Summer Research Fellowship, the David T. Wong Chemistry Research Internship, and the Harvey H. & Donna Morre Basic Cancer Research Fellowship. Each of these experiences has deepened her passion for science and enhanced her skills as a researcher. Before joining the PhD program, she worked at Amgen, where she had the opportunity to contribute to the characterization of evolocumab, a blockbuster drug for the treatment of diabetes. Sometimes, she sees the drug featured in commercials on TV, and it feels rewarding to know she played a part in its development.
In her free time, she enjoys staying active with barre classes and Pilates, gardening, and spending quality time with her friends.
