Student Zavio Prato researches new possibilities in the lab and in his career

Zavio Prato '27 found an out-of-the-box way this summer to gain experience in a career field he is passionate about by participating in the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research. Prato interned in one of Sanford Research's labs in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for 10 weeks, where he learned from mentors in the profession, participated in workshops, networked and even performed some research on his own. "I am most proud of the semi-independent research that I was able to conduct," said Prato. "After this experience, I feel much more confident in the lab and much more like a scientist."

Prato is majoring in biology and minoring in psychology of behavioral neuroscience and chemistry. Since he was a teenager, Prato has had an interest in the brain and its functions. "When learning about the sciences in high school, the brain just stood out to me as an unknown, and that fascinated me," explained Prato. "My teachers at the time had no answers to the questions I was asking, and I realized I would have to find the answers myself." Prato is especially intrigued by the mechanisms of the brain that cause disease. "We don't really know how diseases come about in the brain, but we do know there are connections between how the diseases manifest. I find that fascinating." 

With an interest and passion in a career so competitive, complex and fundamental to life, Prato found a mentor in Mark Brown, Ph.D., executive director and professor of biotechnology at Mount Marty. Prato explained that there are many avenues one could take to have a career in neuroscience, and one avenue he is currently pursuing is biotechnology, where he could work with drug development, brain implants and more. "Dr. Brown has helped me navigate the university experience and find a direction for graduate school," explained Prato. "He has told me many times that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to and not to doubt what I can achieve. This has stuck with me as sometimes I think some of my goals are crazy." It was Brown who recommended the summer internship, as Prato desired the opportunity to have hands-on experience in research that was in his field of interest. This internship also fulfills a requirement for Prato to receive a graduate Certificate in Biotechnology Management.

"From the first time I met with Zavio, I could see that he was a perfect fit for our graduate biotechnology management program," said Brown. "He was looking to prepare for a high-impact career in neuroscience research and was truly champing at the bit to advance his career preparation while he completed his bachelor's degree. With input from his advisor and several administrators, we were pleased to offer him an opportunity to begin taking graduate biotechnology courses as electives." Prato is the first undergraduate at Mount Marty to enroll in courses from one of the graduate biotechnology programs. After Prato completed his first graduate course with great performance, Brown invited Prato to take the graduate biotechnology internship course. "He jumped at the offer, and we helped him obtain a neuroscience-related research placement through our collaboration with the Sanford Research Center," explained Brown. "Once again, his brilliance and work ethic shined through, and his research mentors couldn't have been more impressed. Zavio is a trailblazer who paved the way for future Mount Marty undergraduates who are interested in jump-starting their graduate education."

Over 200 people applied for the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research, and only 20 applicants were accepted. After being admitted to the program, Prato had an in-person interview to determine which lab would be the best fit for him. In his lab, Prato was assigned to work with mice to study their brains and, more specifically, Beta Propeller Protein Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN). BPAN is a rare genetic disorder that affects the brain. Prato said, "In particular, with my summer project, I was exploring the dysregulated autophagy proteins, which we believe to be part of the disease mechanism." He also observed surgical procedures in mice, such as in utero electroporation, which is used to target gene manipulation, and worked with mouse neuroblastoma cells in cell cultures. 

Prato was able to collaborate with other interns and lab personnel. He worked under a principal investigator and had a mentor with whom he worked on a day-to-day basis. He participated in research seminars and workshops with the other interns, which helped prepare him for his future career and gave him professional development opportunities to consider. Prato said that the career development opportunities opened his eyes to different avenues he could pursue in the industry and how to apply for graduate school to make it happen. Prato also presented his research, including a scientific paper, to his colleagues multiple times over the summer, growing his communication skills. "I was also able to give a poster presentation during a symposium at Sanford, showing my research from the summer program," said Prato. "This also helped me learn to communicate my research in terms that people with a wide variety of scientific backgrounds can understand." He also gained skills in reading scientific literature. "I can read it in a whole new way after seeing firsthand how the results are obtained and how conclusions are drawn."

By the end of the summer, Prato said his interest in neuroscience was confirmed, and that this lab experience would be a valuable part of his graduate school applications. "Right now, I am leaning towards the M.D. Ph.D. route," said Prato. "This would allow me to work at the bench while also working in a clinic a few days a week. However, I am also still considering just getting a Ph.D. and only doing research, which one day may turn into managing research projects by becoming a principal investigator." Prato also feels that this learning experience will help him immensely with his future labs at Mount Marty. 

Although Prato's exact path after graduation is unknown, he desires to be a well-rounded individual and be a competitive applicant should he choose to pursue graduate school. He is continuing his passion for learning and science back on campus through tutoring at the Center for Academic Excellence and coordinating the prosthetics club on campus as president. Prato said, "The prosthetics club is a passion project for me, allowing me to have fun with 3D printing and work with people in need." He also plans to spend some of his free time outside of his studies and track-athlete duties by volunteering at the Sacred Heart Hospital. 

Prato is grateful for the knowledge he gained in the lab and is excited to apply his biotechnology expertise in a clinical setting in the future. "It will be nice to have a background in biotechnology if I decide to work in the lab in the future, because then I will understand and have knowledge on both sides — the lab and pharmaceutical side. This can make a big difference when it comes to communicating with others and understanding the industry as a whole."

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About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic, Benedictine institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, recreation management, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.