Michael Astourian
Undergraduate
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University of California, Berkeley
Department of Integrative Biology Office: 4095 Valley Life Sciences Building Email: mastourian [at] berkeley [dot] edu |
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Education
Employment
Background
I am an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley with interests in mathematics and biology. I am originally from Beirut, Lebanon but have lived in Los Angeles for the majority of my life.
Research Interests
My research interests include genetics, evolution, and neurobiology. Most recently, I have been working with mutant Drosophila species and studying their resistance to ouabain, a sodium-potassium pump inhibitor. My responsibilities for this project include: conducting mutational path analyses to understand the evolutionary origins of the feeding and sequestration of ouabain and conducting behavioral assays on Drosophila to understand the physiological effects of implementing this resistance. Through this work, I have been able to develop my understanding of computational biology while exploring its significance in adaptation and evolution.