Major: University Studies: Oceans & One Health Concentration
Minor: Chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Class Year: 2027
High School: William P. Clements High School
Advisors: Dr. Sheila Kitchen; Dr. Aki Ohdera; Dr. Chen Xu
Proposed URS Thesis Title:
Research Focus: Cnidarian Metamorphosis, Gene Expression, Molecular Biology, Enzymology
Other Projects and Publications:
Publications
Ohdera, A. H., Dalrymple, J., Avila-Magaña, V., Rodriguez, J., et al. Symbiosis-driven development in an early-branching metazoan lineage. Cell Press Revision 1 [Preprint], April 17, 2025.
Presentations
(April 2025) Subtracting from Symbionts: Does inhibiting carotenoid processing delay metamorphosis in Cassiopea?
(July 2024) Strobilation without Symbionts: Do carotenoids induce strobilation in non-symbiotic Cassiopea xamachana?
(April 2024) Understanding Pollutant Driven Eutrophication: Zinc Nanoparticle Effects on CAT Activity in Thalassosira pseudonana
(December 2023) A Deeper Look into Antidepressant Dependency: An Investigation on the Hepatic Metabolic Processes Behind Enzyme Cytochrome P450 2C19
Organizations and Programs: Galveston Honors Program, Kitchen Lab, Gulf eDNA Network, Allied Health Association, SeaSpray Literary Journal, Honors Chemistry Program of TAMUG, Undergraduate Research Scholars
Awards and Distinctions: Dr. James M. and Patricia M. McCloy Scholarship, Aggies Commit to Excellence Scholar, TAMUG Chemistry Symposium 3rd in Division, People's Choice (2025) and Overall 1st (2024), TAMUG Research Symposium 1st in Division (2025) and 3rd in Division (2024).
Experience: Molecular Benchwork (qPCR), Bacterial Work, RNAi, Summer Research, Benchwork, Presentations, Long-term Experiments, Animal Husbandry
Years Experience: 2
Other Activities: Cosplay, Traditional Art, Ceramics, My Dog!
Bio: Hi! My name is Jaelyn Rodriguez, and I am part of the trio of the first Undergraduate Research Ambassadors from the Galveston Campus! I am a 3+2 dual degree student, working towards a BS in Oceans and One Health at TAMUG, and an MS in Clinical Laboratory Sciences at UTMB.
I am a Filipino-American aspiring microbiologist with a love for enzymes and intertidal zones. And as a queer, second-generation American, and an artist through-and-through, I love exploring how science can go beyond our confined borders of STEM, and into our communities and passions.
I began my research journey through the Honors Chemistry program at TAMUG, which brought me under a proposal development program under Dr. Chen Xu. This allowed me to create my first preliminary research proposal studying alcohol’s effect on SSRI’s and dependency. We also presented our project on the impact of industrial nanoparticles on populations of Thalassosira pseudonana and their CAT Activity.
Where I’m working the most now is under Dr. Sheila Kitchen and Dr. Aki Ohdera, studying the cnidarian “Upside-Down Jellyfish” Cassiopea xamachana. The past year of my research has been zoomed in on the connection between carotenoid derivatives and the “strobilation” of these jellies, or their metamorphosis from a polyp to an ephyra. This work is the largest of my research experience, allowing me to become skilled in various benchwork skills, and begin experience in larger molecular techniques. Through this, I’ve worked with RNAi and non-pathogenic E. coli, as well as performed RNA extractions and qPCR.
Research will be intimidating at first - the hardest part is reaching out! Let me be your first step into research, and I will do my best to help you find where to start! You got this!
PS: Please ask me about making posters. (I love making them!)