Elizabeth Zhang: Living the dream

Elizabeth Zhang ’26 is a senior in Animal Science with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. Currently she is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Heather Huson, associate professor of animal genetics. We sat down together to talk about her research experience.

Why did you decide to join the Huson lab?

I actually wanted to join Prof. Huson’s lab since before coming to Cornell, so it felt like a dream to finally get to work there. The purposes of her research projects perfectly align with my interests in small animal medicine, animal health and genetics.

I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian and to apply to veterinary school after undergrad, so I chose the pre-vet concentration to fulfill these requirements best. But I’ve also loved genetics ever since learning about it in my high school biology classes. I was drawn to how intricately designed and complex genes are. Now I conduct genetics research with Alaskan Sled Dogs in Prof. Huson’s lab.

You’re helping with research on the gene known as General Transcription Factor II (GTF2), which helps regulate gene expression in the brain. Tell us more about that.

GTF2 variants contribute to hypersociability in dogs. They also contribute to Williams-Beuren Syndrome in humans, which is a rare disorder that includes an extremely friendly personality.

We’re looking at whether these gene variants are different between domestic dog breeds and within certain breeds with different working purposes. Domestic dogs breeds are so different in the ways they socialize with humans — some breeds and working roles are valued for companionship while others are valued for independence.

For example, the Siberian Husky is bred for multiple working roles. Some are bred to be pets, some are sprint racers or distance racers, and some are show dogs. We’re interested in seeing if there are differences between GTF2 variants among dogs bred for these different roles.

a woman holds a dog still while another woman swabs the dog's mouth — Heather Huson (right), helps Zhang swab a dog's mouth to obtain saliva for a DNA test. Photo by Jackie Swift.

What kind of tasks do you do in the lab?

Currently, I’m collecting samples for the GTF2 project. I plan to genotype them and analyze the data afterwards. I also help out with wet lab work for other samples — things like DNA extractions and quantification. And I help with dog and cow sampling and blood draws when projects in the lab need it.

How does your undergrad research tie into your interests?

I find the implications of genetics research to be extremely important as it could help to identify certain genetic markers for a certain condition, and we can use that data to improve breeding practices and deepen our understanding of domestication. For the future, I’m applying to veterinary school, and I’m especially interested in how genetically predisposed traits in certain dog breeds influence medical outcomes and treatment approaches. I hope to continue pursuing genetics research during veterinary school as well.

a woman stands in front of an academic poster — Zhang created a poster about her research in the Huson lab. Photo provided.

What’s your favorite part of your lab experience?

I’ve really enjoyed learning such a wide variety of skills, from working hands-on with the sled dogs during blood draws, to extracting DNA, to analyzing the genetic data. It makes the research feel very real because I can directly connect the science to the animals behind it. I also love how this project brings together my interests in veterinary medicine and genetics.

Did you learn something about research that you didn’t know when you started working at the lab?

Definitely. I learned that the scientific process is not always linear and doesn’t always go as planned. There were obstacles along the way that made certain processes take longer than expected. Every time that occurred, I was able to take a step back, ask my mentors for help and then approach the project in a different way to tackle the issues. I learned to be flexible when unexpected situations happen and to be better at problem-solving.

Overall, the research experience has deepened my commitment to becoming a veterinarian by helping me understand how genetics shapes animal health and disease. In the future, I may see clinical cases where certain breeds or working roles have genetic predispositions, and I’ll have a better understanding about how to approach those cases.

Jackie Swift is the communications specialist for the Cornell CALS Department of Animal Science.