Harrison Zapp
Biology Major, Chemistry Minor, Decision Sciences Certificate
Pronouns: he/him
Current Research Project: As a lab assistant in the Lechler Lab of the Cell Biology Department, I am deeply interested in understanding how epithelial cell shape and organization drive tissue morphogenesis. My current work has exposed me to projects on spindle orientation, centrosome regulation, and stem cell niche development, which inspire me to explore how disruptions in these processes contribute to disease. I am especially fascinated by the intersection of cell adhesion and stem cell biology, as these mechanisms are crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Building on this foundation, I plan to pursue an independent study in this lab, where I can design and carry out a project under faculty mentorship. Through this experience, I aim to strengthen my skills as a researcher while contributing meaningful insights to our understanding of epithelial biology.
How he got involved with research: I first got involved with research at Duke through MUSER, which provided a great platform to explore different opportunities on campus. Browsing through the listings, I was able to see a wide range of labs and the projects they were working on. I found it especially helpful that most labs have their publications posted on their websites, which allowed me to dive deeper into their research and see what truly interested me. After reading more about the work being done in my current lab, I knew it was a great fit for my curiosity and goals. This process made getting started in research much more accessible and showed me how open Duke is to helping undergraduates get involved.