Trinity Hausch, a junior in the WISE honors program at Stony Brook University, has been named the URECA researcher of the month for June. Majoring in biochemistry with a minor in studio art, Hausch has been actively involved in research since February 2024. She works under Siu Chiu Chan in the Department of Medicine's Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, focusing on biochemical and molecular methods to understand HNF1B mutations linked to kidney diseases.
Hausch presented her research at the inaugural LIKER/Long Island Kidney Education and Research Symposium last December. This summer, she will continue her work full-time in Chan’s group, supported by the Mitchell Wortzman Undergraduate Research Award.
Her initial research experience began as a freshman on SBU’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team under Peter Gergen from the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. In Summer 2023, during Explorations in STEM, she contributed to a project aiming to enable E. coli colonies to convert inert nitrogen into ammonia. Her role involved designing and coding a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to showcase their findings. The project was presented at both the Summer Symposium and the international iGEM Jamboree in Paris, where they won a silver medal.
Hausch advises students: “don’t be afraid to apply, even if you don’t feel that you know how to do everything yet." She emphasizes that faculty are willing to teach if students are proactive in asking questions.
Recently featured as an undergraduate artist at the URECA art exhibition held at Zuccaire Gallery from April 24 to May 8, Hausch earned first place for her piece "Analecta" and second place for another prize. On campus, she leads as president of the SBU Greenhouse Club and collaborates with its curator on maintaining native plant gardens around the Life Sciences Building.
Looking ahead, Hausch aims for a PhD in molecular biology with aspirations for a career in research.