Goldwater Scholar Prepares for Career in Scientific Discovery

Goldwater Scholar Prepares for Career in Scientific Discovery

As she graduates from The University of Toledo on Saturday, May 2, Sophia Durham leaves with more than a degree.

A summa cum laude graduate earning a bachelor of science degree in cell and molecular biology with a minor in French, Durham has distinguished herself as one of UToledo's most accomplished undergraduate researchers.

Durham joined the lab of Dr. Rafael Garcia-Mata, a professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, as a first-year student.

"Being in Dr. Garcia-Mata's lab gave me the confidence and tools to ask my own questions," Durham said. "That felt empowering - like I had a voice people wanted to hear."

From that opportunity, she mastered advanced techniques including cloning, cell culture, microscopy, optogenetics and quantitative image analysis - building a foundation that allowed her to take on complex scientific questions early in her academic career.

Her research focuses on invadopodia, specialized structures that enable cancer cells to invade surrounding tissue during metastasis.

By studying the molecular mechanisms behind these structures, Durham contributes to a growing body of work aimed at understanding how cancer progresses and spreads.

She has shared her findings at The University of Toledo's Undergraduate Research Symposium and at national conferences, and her work has contributed to multiple ongoing projects expected to lead to future publications.

Her achievements have earned her significant recognition, including the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship - one of the nation's highest honors for undergraduate researchers in science, engineering and mathematics - along with multiple university research awards and a fully funded travel grant to present her work at Rice University.

Beyond the lab, Durham sought out opportunities to lead and support others.
As a supplemental instructor at UToledo for biology courses, she helped students navigate complex material while developing her own teaching approach. She also expanded her experience through teaching and research roles beyond UToledo, including at the University of Michigan.

"My professors have shaped my vision as a teacher," Durham said. "Their teaching styles and student interactions helped me discover who I want to be for my students."

Originally enrolled in the Bacc2MD program, Durham shifted her focus during her sophomore year, choosing to fully commit to research. The decision, she said, clarified her goals and strengthened her confidence.

Garcia-Mata said Durham's impact extends beyond her technical ability.

"It has been a genuine privilege to mentor Sophia over the past four years," he said. "She is an exceptional researcher - intellectually gifted and genuinely passionate about science in a way that sets her apart. She is generous with her time, always willing to support her colleagues, and brings a sense of energy and curiosity to everything she does."

After graduation, Durham plans to continue her research during a gap year while preparing for doctoral studies. She is considering several opportunities, including graduate study in Canada, a post-baccalaureate program at Washington University in St. Louis or continuing her work at UToledo.

Her long-term goal is to become a tenure-track professor, combining research and teaching to advance scientific discovery.

"After graduation, I look forward to discovery - whether that is researching or exploring new environments," she said. "I want to find out as much about my surrounding world as possible."

For undergraduate students considering research, Durham offers practical advice grounded in her own experience.

"Just ask," she said. "Show interest, be curious and be willing to learn. If you are genuinely interested in what you are doing, people will invest in you. And ask questions - life can get boring without those."