To build on my extracurricular, volunteer, and academic work, I’ve been actively seeking opportunities to conduct independent research. These projects allow me to explore questions that connect my interests in science, policy, and community impact. Simultaneously, I am able to strengthen the skills and knowledge I bring to my other initiatives.
Innovation in Aging (Oxford University Press) & Annual Scientific Meeting Presentation (GSA)
I was also inspired me to submit an accepted abstract to the 2025 Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting, titled “The Melody Project: A Music-Based Intervention to Reduce Loneliness and Foster Belonging in Assisted Living,” to be published in the Innovation in Aging journal, a publication by Oxford University Press on behalf of GSA.
The abstract synthesizes my nonprofit work and highlights the importance of community-based interventions in improving emotional well-being among older adults. I will be presenting this project in November 2025, alongside postdoctoral researchers, professors, and scientists from across the country. Preparing for the conference has challenged me to frame my experiences through a scientific lens, translating community engagement into data-driven discussion and understanding how qualitative impact can inform evidence-based practice.
Summer Research Academies
At the University of Santa Barbara California’s Summer Research Academies, I worked with a research group to develop a research paper and project investigating whether tRNA methylation by the methyltransferase gene nsun-4 affects the role of mt tRFs as mtDNA heteroplasmy indicators.
There is an urgent need for improved strategies and treatments to address cognitive decline, as nearly 6.9 million Americans over the age of 65 currently live with neurodegenerative diseases. One key biological contributor to neurodegeneration is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy, typically signaled by mitochondrial tRNA fragments (mt tRFs), which inhibits energy production.
Our work hypothesized that the overexpression of nsun-4 hypermethylates tRNA, preventing its ability to act as a heteroplasmy suppressant through cleavage. Using Python via Google Colab, we analyzed genomic variants, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and differential gene expression by measuring the technical/statistical and biological significance of given gene transcripts across Caenorhabditis elegans isolates.
Ultimately, we found that nsun-4 was significantly differentially expressed between certain strains of interest displaying varying mitochondrial health, suggesting that nsun-4 overexpression weakens mitophagy. Our findings thus lay the foreground for the development of future therapeutic treatments that target the mitochondrial dysfunction via the overexpression of nsun-4 orthologs.
WIT Magazine Spotlight: How Gemma Wang Is Using Music to Combat Loneliness One Note at a Time
In November of 2025, I had the unique opportunity to be featured in WIT Magazine, a publication sharing the stories, journeys, and achievements of young entrepreneurs, changemakers, and leaders across the nation.
I highlighted my work with The Melody Project and our current impact, as well as my hopes and plans for my nonprofit in the coming years. I was so honored to be able to be a part of WIT’s mission to amplify the power of those who are doing “Whatever It Takes!”
American Society on Aging’s Generations Now Article
I also authored an article published in the American Society on Aging’s (ASA) Generations Now publication titled “Intergenerational Relationships and Social Interaction: How Community-Based Interventions to Tackle Loneliness Can Decrease the Risk of Neurodegeneration Among Seniors,” where I explored the biological link between loneliness and neurodegeneration. Drawing from scientific literature, I discussed how social isolation contributes to neural inflammation, cortisol dysregulation, and cellular aging. Writing this piece required me to integrate findings from neuroscience, psychology, and public health into a coherent, accessible narrative for readers outside academia. The process deepened my appreciation for science communication and taught me to effectively translate research to drive awareness, policy, and empathy.
Link: https://generations.asaging.org/intergenerational-relationships-and-social-interaction/
Brains for Change 