Undergraduate Researcher Spotlight: Daniella Agbenu

For many, the mention of “mucus” is just a reminder of Kleenex, Mucinex, and cold & flu season. For senior biochemistry student Daniella Agbenu, it’s a career path. Through her work in the Scull Lab led by Dr. Margaret Scull, Daniella is investigating how mucins, also known as glycoproteins found in our mucus, act as a frontline defense against viral infections.

Daniella’s journey began through the Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, a three-year NIH-funded experience that supports undergraduates pursuing biomedical PhDs. In the MARC program, Daniella was able to choose her research lab from a list of available research labs facilitated by faculty on UMD’s campus. After rotating through a few MARC-affiliated research labs, Daniella chose the Scull Lab. Having a personal interest in immunology and a goal of getting a PhD in the field, she connected with the work Dr. Scull and her research team engage in. Daniella shared that her interest in virology was born from her own struggles with asthma and allergies.

Even after working in her lab for three years, Daniella shared that research is still teaching her new things. She mentioned that in preparation for an upcoming fellowship application, she had entered the “research paper rabbit hole” many of us have found ourselves in – in Daniella’s case, a mucus-y rabbit hole of literature (imagine what that looks like!).

“There are so many mechanisms involved in fighting off a cold. Every pathway leads to the stimulation of so many different genes and proteins. How can all of that be happening in our bodies?” 

One of Daniella’s biggest and most relatable takeaways from her work in the Scull Lab was that research is not perfect. She described how often she messed up measurements in the lab, her mentors' patience, and her struggles in some of her more complex classes, like organic chemistry. With the continued support of her faculty mentors and peers, Daniella shared that she felt more confident continuing with her research, despite facing some setbacks and challenges. It can be hard to make mistakes, but without mistakes, there is no room to grow. Research and science are not about “perfection”, as one might think; every discovery comes from researchers making hundreds of mistakes, owning those mistakes, learning from them, then writing them up and reporting on them so others can learn, too. 

“In terms of research, to get to that ending result, there's going to be a lot of adaptations. You have to make a lot of different turns and take different paths, which is also a learning experience. Even though I passed Orgo 2, it just traumatized me. It taught me that this path is gonna be very difficult. However, it's worth it.”

Most recently, in March 2026, Daniella shared her research at the Emerging Researchers National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where she presented her work, titled “Profiling Mucin and ISG Isoform Heterogeneity Under Normal and Antiviral Conditions.” Despite having presented her research at a few other conferences, she shared that the presentation and judging process was still “nerve-wracking.” Presenting a project can be a daunting task, but any opportunity to meet other researchers and show off your hard work can further your career. 

Daniella urged anyone trying to get their foot in the door not to give up. Whether you are reaching out to faculty trying to find a lab to conduct research in or looking for an internship, the best strategy is to cast a wide net. Do not get discouraged by slow replies or rejection. There are so many opportunities on campus!

Daniella continued her research over the summer in the Scull lab, and this Fall 2026, she is entering her senior year at UMD. As Daniella’s graduation date approaches, she brings with her not just the technical skills learned in the lab, but a profound appreciation for the resilience required in research. Her journey to becoming an immunologist serves as a testament to the importance of mentorship, persistence, and passion in this field.