Research
UC Irvine Gati Summer Program Individual Research
Psychology Research, 2026
Factors That Build and Maintain Close Interpersonal Relationships
I explored a question that is both deeply personal and psychologically complex: What allows people to build close relationship, and what enables those relationships to remain strong over time?
Through a review and synthesis of existing psychological research, I examined five interconnected factors: proximity and interaction frequency, similarity, self-disclosure and communication, responsiveness and trust, and time and shared experiences.
Rather than treating these factors independently, I investigated how they interact across different stages of a relationship, particularly the distinction between relationship formation and relationship maintenance.
My research suggested that simply creating opportunities for people to meet and interact does not necessarily lead to emotional intimacy; the factors that initiate a relationship may differ from those that sustain its quality over time. Ultimately, this project led me to understand close relationships not as the product of a single formula, but as dynamic processes shaped by multiple psychological factors working together.
Pioneer Academics Research Program
Immunology Research, 2026
How Personalized mRNA Vaccines and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors could be Combined to Improve Melanoma Treatment
I explored how melanoma’s high mutation rate produces tumor-specific neoantigens and how cancer cells can evade immune responses through mechanisms such as the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway.
I examined how personalized mRNA vaccines can train the immune system to recognize a patient’s unique tumor mutations, while checkpoint inhibitors can help keep those immune responses active. Through this research, I became especially interested in the potential of personalized medicine, as well as the scientific and practical challenges involved in translating emerging cancer therapies into clinical treatment.
Polygence Research Program
Environmental Science Research, 2026
Extreme Heat and Mental and Physical Health in Young Adults
I explored an increasingly urgent question: How does extreme heat affect the mental and physical health of young adults?
Through a narrative review of existing research, I examined how exposure to extreme heat may be associated with depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, agitation and aggression, reduced social interaction, and the worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions.
Rather than examining psychological and physical health separately, my research focuses on the connection between the two. I investigated how heat-related psychological stress and changes in mental well-being may interact with physical health outcomes, particularly among adolescents and young adults who are often perceived as less vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
Ultimately, this project seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of extreme heat as not only an environmental issue, but also a human health issue with interconnected psychological and physical consequences.