CRS Scientist Spotlight on Rhea Sharma

Rhea Sharma is an undergraduate researcher in lab of Dr. Francesca Duncan, PhD. She is currently working on a project studying the effect of age and diet (using a caloric restriction paradigm) on ovarian health. Rhea was recently was awarded the Marcia L. Storch Scholarship for Undergraduate Women.

Mentor: Dr. Francesca Duncan, PhD and Emma Gargus 

Project title: Acute caloric restriction attenuates the age-associated loss of follicle number in a population of peri-menopausal rhesus macaques​ 

What is your connection to the CRS community (mentor and position) and what is your current position? 

I am an undergraduate researcher in the Duncan Lab led by Dr. Francesca Duncan.  

Could you describe your current research/studies? 

I am currently working on a non-human primate follicle counting project with Emma Gargus and Rebecca Gu. In this project, we were studying the age and diet effect (using a caloric restriction paradigm) on ovarian health, measured by follicle counts. We are currently wrapping up this project and preparing the manuscript.   

What aspect(s) of CRS did you find most valuable?  

I find the people of CRS to be the most valuable. I find so often that people are so willing to help and assist me with skills I do not yet have. I have been given so many scholarship and presentation opportunities, and been given the support necessary. CRS has never made me feel out of place or intimidated, and I am grateful to the people for that.  

What has been the most valuable aspect to your training as a reproductive scientist in CRS? 

Besides the people, I have learned a lot of reproductive science in the CRS, and the seeming disparities around this kind of research. It has motivated me to become further involved in women’s health research, and I really enjoy the learning process here. 

Heartiest congratulations on winning the Marcia L. Storch scholarship for undergraduate women! Would you describe the experience?  

I am very grateful for winning the Storch scholarship, as these funds will help us fund the final image analysis portion of our project and wrap it up. I believe that scholarships like these are important in motivating young women involved in scientific research, and I am grateful to have been a part of this process! 

What do you think will be the next big contribution in the reproductive biology field?  

I believe there will be 2 main contributions. Firstly, I think the subject area of fertility is making a lot of progress, and I think researchers may be able to find a valid intervention that can prolong ovarian fertility, as women decide to have children later in life. Secondly, I believe that there will be advancements in birth control, specifically non-hormonal ways of birth control. I am excited to see what these contributions are! 

Do you have any notable stories from your time in CRS? 

I haven’t been a part of the CRS for too long so I don’t have too many stories. However, during one round of staining ovarian slides one day, I was pleased to have found a heart-shaped ovary! It was just in time for Valentine’s Day and a cute surprise.