Khatija Nishat ’25 Published in Scholarly Journal

Khatija Nishat ’25 completed student-faculty research that was published in Biology Open.

Worth the Work

Program

Biology (B.A.)

Department

Biology

Alumni

Natural Sciences
Research
Worth the Work

By Matt Lee ’15, 02/02/2026

Khatija Nishat ’25 studied biology at Hood College. She completed research on how primary cilia and intraflagellar transport proteins regulate cell signaling and development with Professor Cherry Liu, Ph.D. Their findings were recently published in the scholarly journal Biology Open.

How did you become interested in studying biology, and what motivated you to attend Hood?

I was drawn to biology because it offers a way to understand issues that directly affect people’s lives, from health and disease to development. I chose Hood for its small, close-knit campus, where I knew I’d be able to learn closely with professors. That supportive environment made Hood feel like a place where I could grow both academically and personally.

What have you been up to since graduating from Hood?

Since graduating, I’ve been taking time to explore my interests. I’ve been gaining clinical experience that has helped me better understand my strengths and long-term goals. This period has allowed me to reflect on what kind of work I find most meaningful and how I want to continue developing professionally.

Tell us about your research with Professor Liu. How did you become involved with the project?

I became involved in the project after getting to know Professor Liu through a cell biology course and conversations outside of class. I was interested in the chance to be part of a project that required responsibility and the chance to work independently.

In what ways were you able to connect your classroom learning to your research project?

Concepts from molecular biology, cell biology and developmental biology courses directly reflected in my experiments and helped me understand signaling pathways, gene mutations and experimental design. Applying these ideas outside the classroom reinforced what I learned.

How does it feel to have published a scholarly article so early in your post-grad career? How do you hope your research will be used by the broader scientific community?

It’s incredibly rewarding to see the work published so early in my career, especially as a result of a close joint effort with Professor Liu. It was validating to know that our findings contribute meaningfully to the field. I hope the study helps other researchers develop new hypotheses and supports future work on ciliopathies.

What are the benefits of having a faculty mentor like Professor Liu?

Professor Liu provided consistent guidance and encouragement while trusting me to work independently. That mentorship helped me navigate challenges, build confidence and better understand what it means to contribute thoughtfully to a long-term research project.

Do you have any advice to offer current Hood students who are interested in pursuing student-faculty research?

Get involved early, ask questions and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Research takes time, patience and persistence. Be proactive in seeking mentorship and take advantage of the research opportunities available at Hood.

Learn more about the biology program at Hood College.