Signe Begalske, BS

My name is Signe Begalske, and I’m an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, where I’m majoring in Biochemistry. This summer, I’m thrilled to be participating in the Summer Research Training Program (SRTP), which gives me an incredible opportunity to grow as a scientist and explore potential future directions in biomedical research in the McManus Lab at UCSF.

At UW–La Crosse, I’ve been deeply involved in undergraduate research in organic chemistry under the mentorship of Dr. Robin Grote. Our work focuses on synthesizing oxadiazoles, a class of heterocyclic compounds that have potential pharmaceutical relevance. Through this experience, I’ve developed hands-on skills in organic synthesis, purification techniques such as flash chromatography, and characterization methods including NMR. I even had the chance to present our research at the American Chemical Society National Conference in San Diego, which was an amazing experience that allowed me to share our findings with fellow researchers and gain inspiration from their work as well.

This exposure to organic chemistry and molecular design has sparked a deeper interest in disease mechanism-based research, and I’m excited to explore how chemical biology and biochemistry can be harnessed to better understand and treat disease. Whether it's through targeting molecular pathways or exploring small molecule therapeutics, I want my future work to contribute to improving human health.

Outside of the lab, I love to stay active—especially on the ice. I’ve been an avid hockey player for years, and I currently play in the ACHA Women’s Division II Hockey Club at UW–La Crosse, where I serve as President and formerly as Treasurer. I’m also a certified USA Hockey referee and have even coached youth hockey, where I enjoy helping young players build confidence and skill. Ice skating and hockey have been important parts of my life for a long time, teaching me discipline, teamwork, and how to stay cool under pressure (literally and figuratively!).

In addition to sports and science, I love to bake, watch the latest Marvel movies, and hang out with friends and family. I also enjoy volunteering—especially in educational settings—and have served as a Teacher’s Assistant for Human Anatomy & Physiology Labs and as a leader in my sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, where I’ve held multiple leadership positions focused on academic achievement and programming.

I’m beyond excited to be in San Francisco this summer! I’m looking forward to exploring the city, trying new food, visiting museums, and taking in all the opportunities this experience has to offer. I’m grateful for the chance to learn, grow, and connect with others through SRTP, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.