Sisters in Science: Lauryn and Elyse Tran’s Journey in Cancer Research and Community Service

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Siblings can be each other’s steadfast companions through life’s continuous ups and downs. Sisters, in particular, offer a unique blend of support and challenge, forming an unbreakable bond. History is adorned with iconic sister duos: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who built a media and fashion empire, and Venus and Serena Williams, who transformed the world of tennis, amassing a combined 30 Grand Slam titles, with Serena often hailed as the greatest tennis player of all time.

Lauryn and Elyse Tran are another inspiring addition to this list of accomplished women embarking on their journey into cancer research. Their dreams extend beyond personal achievement to a profound desire to aid their community in the fight against cancer. During the summer, you will find the sisters in various labs, eagerly absorbing knowledge from their mentors. Their eyes are brimming with curiosity, diligently taking notes, asking insightful questions, and striving to expand their understanding of complex scientific concepts.

Inspiration, Guidance, and the Pursuit of Understanding

Lauryn and Elyse’s path to cancer research began in their youth, profoundly influenced by their Uncle Felix’s battle with colon cancer. Even as a youth, they understood the gravity of his illness and its impact on their family. Lauryn recalls, “Seeing my Uncle Felix battle colon cancer and the toll it took on our family opened my eyes to the urgent need for better treatments and support.” Elyse shares, “Although I was young when I learned of my uncle’s cancer, I wanted to do everything possible to aid his recovery. Growing my own vegetable garden and as grandma’s little assistant, I learned to incorporate anti-inflammatory vegetables when helping my grandmother prepare meals for my uncle to help mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy.” Despite their hopes and efforts for his recovery, their uncle passed away.

This loss solidified Lauryn’s resolve to pursue an MD-Ph-D dedicated to saving lives and supporting families through the arduous journey of caring for a loved one diagnosed with cancer. His passing left Elyse with a strong desire to understand cancer, which propelled Elyse to attend the UCI Conquering Cancer seminars and participate in the UCI Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Youth Science Fellowship Program, where she acquired invaluable research knowledge coupled with hands-on research experience.

Their journey to cancer research is far from passive. Elyse has advanced her knowledge by creating instructional training videos such as DNA Purification, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Gel Electrophoresis for use by future researchers. Lauryn actively assists her mentor with their research of improving CAR T cell therapy for solid cancers, contributing to experimental design and data analysis. Her mentor praises her analytical skills and innovative approach to solving complex problems.

All About the Community

Lauryn and Elyse are dynamic leaders in their community, driven by a collective mindset instilled by their mother. She encourages them to seize opportunities without hesitation and never to let age define their ambitions. With this foundation, Lauryn and Elyse founded the Beautiful Endearing Expressions Society (B.E.E. Society Webpage), encouraging youth to channel their creativity and artistic abilities to serve underserved communities and make a positive difference.

Over time, this sense of community and impact flourished, leading to significant contributions, such as a recent fundraiser that gathered 1,700 children’s books from their community to create a reading nook for students with learning disabilities at a local high school where Elyse attends. Their active engagement in these initiatives has taught them that synergistic teamwork and collaboration skills are crucial in research, fostering a supportive environment that breeds innovative ideas.

Lauryn and Elyse’s dedication to their community and research is evident in their ongoing efforts. Elyse’s instructional videos have become invaluable resources for the lab. They help streamline and standardize training to ensure consistency and quality and allow new researchers to contribute quickly to ongoing projects. Lauryn’s role in her mentor’s research has provided her with a wealth of knowledge and experience, allowing her to contribute and further her cancer research journey.

In their relentless pursuit of scientific breakthroughs and community support, Lauryn and Elyse exemplify the profound impact of sibling bonds, transforming personal tragedy into a shared mission for the greater good. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of unwavering resilience, continuous learning, united effort, and the steadfast support of family and friends as they strive toward a future where cancer can be conquered and communities can flourish.

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