Meet Ali Bouck!

Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from, what degree(s) do you have? What are your interests?

I was born and raised in Utah, just north of Salt Lake, and have been here ever since! I got a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Utah. During my undergraduate education, I did research in organic synthetic chemistry with Dr. Looper in Chemistry and Dr. Franzini in Medicinal Chemistry. My research interests are in therapeutic development and biomimetics.

Why did you choose the U for graduate school?

I loved the U during my undergraduate experience. I found it to be a great school with a variety of research opportunities, a diverse and supportive community of scientists, world-class facilities, and collaborations across every scientific field.

Tell me about your lab. What do you study?

I recently joined the Rutter Lab, working on a project studying and validating novel RNA riboswitches.

Why did you choose to join your lab?

I found a lot of opportunities in the Rutter Lab to learn a diverse skillset and collaborate with labs all over the country. I also wanted to branch out into biochemistry and apply my chemistry knowledge in a new setting.

What do you like most about living in Salt Lake City?

I love having so many local farmers markets and small businesses to support nearby! Salt Lake City also has an amazing Pride celebration every year.

What do you like the least?

Nightlife in Utah is not the most interesting.

What do you like most about being a graduate student?

I like having the ability to set up my own schedule, as well as being able to own my research project within my lab. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s so rewarding!

What types of things do you do outside of class and lab?

I love cozy video games, cross-stitch, and taking care of my plants.

What does a typical weekday look like for you?

I wake up, head to the gym, and then spend most of my day in the lab! At night I unwind with video games, reading, or cross stitching while watching a good show.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

In the summer, going to farmers markets, gardening, and reading or playing video games.

What advice would you give to someone applying and interviewing for graduate school?

Remember to trust yourself when it comes to making decisions! Think about where you would be happy, fulfilled, and have balance, graduate school is all about you! Also, don’t be intimidated by faculty, most of the time they want to help you out, and asking a question is never a bad thing.