Student Profiles

Sarah Leichter

Sarah is a current graduate student in Dr. Xuehua Zhong’s lab in the Department of Genetics & Wisconsin Institute for Discovery. She is interested in the patterns of epigenetic marks throughout the genome and the functional consequences of changes to these epigenetic marks. Understanding and detecting the patterns of epigenetic marks throughout the genome is important to understanding the roles they play in many biological processes, and the consequences in disruptions in these patterns.

Why did you choose UW-Madison? I chose to come to UW-Madison because I felt that the school and the professors’ top priority is to train graduate students, and I got a strong sense that all the students were happy to be here. I also felt as if there were many options of different research topics conducted throughout campus, and knew there would be plenty of options for choosing a thesis lab.

Where is your favorite place to study? The fourth floor of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, one side of the building is floor to ceiling windows allowing for sunshine to pour into the building. It makes for a great spot to study year round to enjoy the sunshine, especially in the winter.

Advice for future graduate students? Come into graduate school with a flexible idea for what you would like to study, there may be labs or projects that become opportunities for you that you may have never thought of pursuing.

Shilu Zhang

Why did you choose UW-Madison? I chose UW-Madison because it is one of the top research universities where I can have the opportunity to work alongside top-notch faculty and get best training. There are a wide range of research topics and faculty and students are really passionate about their research work. I heard that Madison is a nice city to live in, especially beautiful in summer, and there are a lot of great food.

Where is your favorite place to study? The Graduate Room in Memorial Library, where I get motivated to study hard every time I study there. The facilities are great, with a variety of tables, white boards, sofas, lounge chairs, lockers and monitors. You can lie down in the cozy chair near the window to enjoy the sunshine or take a nap when you are tired.

Advice for future graduate students? Explore what you're passionate about and pick research topics that you are willing to commit your time and energy to. Study hard, work hard, but don't forget to live your life.