Trinity Williford
I am a native Texan who hails from New Braunfels. During high school, my interest in science peaked through mini science experiments. One was the creation of a sterling engine out of a soda can. It was the hands-on nature of science that instilled in me a passion for discovery and utilizing creative methods to learn more about the natural world. This led me to completing my bachelor’s degree in biology at Dallas Baptist University (DBU).
As I took courses at my university, my love for molecular systems grew through my professor’s enthusiasm and work as a lab technician. In this position, I helped other undergrads grasp difficult topics and assisted my professors in lab setup. As I became involved in Tri-Beta, my university’s biology honor society, I discovered more opportunities available to me for furthering my academic career. This led me to the SURE program at OUHSC where I interned in Dr. Maureen Cox’s lab. During this experience, I worked alongside Jessi Reel to understand how lymphocyte-derived acetylcholine plays a role in the resolution of Influenza A Virus (IAV) infection in mice. My work involved mice weighing, dissections, cell culture, flow cytometry, and data analysis. I loved learning so much in a short period of time, but it was challenging when experiments failed, and life circumstances crashed in. Although this was the case, difficulty has not deterred me from pursuing research.
Instead, I have seen my desire for tackling problems increase along with my hope in scientific research to make meaningful contributions to society. Now that I am in GPiBs, I look forward to growing as a critically thinking researcher. Currently, I aspire to train the next generation of scientists by inspiring them to pursue difficulty and be unafraid of failing.
Outside of research, I delight in spending time with friends, hiking, painting, cooking, and reading. A good mental image of my personality is snuggling up in a blanket on a rainy day while drinking tea and reading a mysterious novel.