Helen Goenawan
Major: Biochemistry
Research Department: (Germ) Cell Biology
Graduation Date: May 2022
Email: helen.goenawan@utdallas.edu
Abstract: Ovarian development is a critical process for reproduction in many species. It is dependent on two major cell types: primordial germ cells (PGCs), which differentiate to form oocytes, and somatic gonadal cells (SGCs), which support the development and maintenance of PGCs. However, the mechanisms that drive the development of human ovaries are not well understood.
To investigate this process further, we are attempting to establish an ovarian organoid culture system using iPS cells. We hope this platform provides further insights into ovary formation and development in humans.
What does research mean to you?
Research is a way to explore something you are interested in by deepening your understanding of the subject. It is something that requires a lot of patience, trials, and problem-solving. However, once you discover something after many experiments, you feel an excitement and desire to learn more, leading to further testing and that is the cycle of research.
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Tell us about your journey.
I was first interested in pursuing research as a career after realizing I liked learning about the natural sciences. However, having no prior experience in the field, I did not have a good idea of where to start. A little before I started my Freshman year at UTD, I heard about the Green Fellowship and decided to reach out to Mrs. McGill, the coordinator for the Green Fellowship at UTD. She was able to advise me about the program and also about the research field in general. I also learned that UTD offers seminars from each department, which you can freely attend. After going to several, I gained an interest in Dr. Dodani’s research lab, which focuses on anions’ effects on biology, and after speaking to her after the seminar, she agreed to take me into her lab. It was there I gained my first research experience. After enjoying the work there, I also decided to apply to the Green Fellowship to explore more about full-time research and experience research in the stem cell field.
What was your favorite part about the program?
My favorite part about the program was being really immersed in your work. You get a sense of the excitement of discovering something, the frustration of not having experiments go as planned, and then the determination it requires to keep trying and rethinking a strategy to make sure your experiment is successful. You also learn so much without realizing by just being within an academic environment, and I feel it really broadens your way of thinking.
What was the biggest thing you learned from the program?
The biggest thing I learned was that research, especially in biological fields, requires a lot of patience and perseverance. When an experiment fails or a cell culture is not responding to factors the way you would expect it to, there are a vast number of reasons or issues that could be the cause. Sometimes, it becomes frustrating or confusing if it keeps failing. But it is when you discover something, even if it is something small, that gives you the glimmer of hope and the drive to move forward.
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Advice for Future Green Fellows
​Never be afraid to reach out! If you are unsure about something, find someone who might know more than you and ask, whether it be advice about research or help with your experiment. Do your best to learn on your own, but ask for help when you need it too.