Lifelong Sun Devil, graduate emphasizes personal growth


May 4, 2023

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2023 graduates.

At 14 years old, Jackson Carrion attended his first Arizona State University football game with his grandpa, who was a season ticket holder. Since then, he has been a Sun Devil for life. headshot of man outside Jackson Carrion is graduating this spring with a master’s degree in biomedical informatics at the College of Health Solutions. After graduating, he will pursue a PhD in computational and systems biology at MIT. He looks forward to developing and applying new artificial intelligence tools in order to better explore drug discovery. Download Full Image

“I quickly realized that colleges like ASU are more like a community instead of a school. Seeing the students come together, forget about the struggles of class and work, and just have a good time was really exciting and made ASU my No. 1 choice,” said Carrion, who is graduating this spring with a master’s degree in biomedical informatics at the College of Health Solutions.

Throughout his time at ASU, Carrion has learned the importance of being OK with failure, especially in research. Carrion has conducted extensive research for the Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, learning along the way that not every experiment will result in a successful outcome. His advice for those still in school is to embrace failure as a learning opportunity.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but being able to identify where the mistake was made and correct it in the future is a crucial step in growing as a researcher,” he said.

After graduation, Carrion will be attending MIT to pursue a PhD in computational and systems biology. He looks forward to developing and applying new artificial intelligence tools in order to better explore drug discovery.

Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: My biggest "aha" moment was definitely the development of AlphaFold2. AlphaFold2 is a piece of software that can use AI in order to construct protein structures with very high accuracy. With my experience in structural biology, it can take years to solve just one protein structure, but AlphaFold2 can solve every protein in the human body in just a few months. AI and machine learning have the ability to accelerate science exponentially, and this has a huge impact on many fields, like drug discovery, immunology, enzymology and much more. Combining AI with biology can allow researchers to solve some of the most complex diseases and disorders for only a fraction of the price and time.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: I learned that collaborating on projects and making connections is the key to becoming a successful researcher. ASU is full of students with such diverse backgrounds. Being able to talk to people from fields that I didn’t know existed allowed me to grow and learn much more than I ever thought was possible. I firmly believe in the saying, “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” Networking with people and experts from various fields can help us learn more about research as well as ourselves.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: Jay-How Yang was by far my most influential professor. We have worked countless hours in the lab together, and the best advice he has given me was to not be one-dimensional. In the classroom and in textbooks there is usually one correct answer, but in the lab and in the real world there are many ways to solve a problem. Learning to be multidimensional and solve problems in a variety of ways has helped me become a better researcher and student in general.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: My favorite place on campus is the Bateman Physical Sciences building, where the pendulum swings. I have spent countless hours in the Physical Sciences building conducting research, and whenever I have a slight break, I love to come down to the first floor and just watch the pendulum swing. When I was in middle school, we took a tour of ASU, and the pendulum was the main thing that I remembered after leaving the field trip. It is very nostalgic and makes me feel like a young Jackson would be proud of where I am today.

A giant pendulum moves across a floor

The Foucault Pendulum, in the F-Wing of the Bateman Physical Sciences building, demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. As the pendulum ball swings back and forth, the plane of its swing appears to slowly rotate in a clockwise direction. Actually, the path of the pendulum is fixed in space, and it is the Earth — and the pendulum pit — that slowly turns beneath the ball. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I would definitely focus on solving a cure for Alzheimer’s. When I first entered ASU, I was very interested in how such a disease could affect a person so dramatically, especially since losing my memories and knowledge is one of my greatest fears. Within these past four years, the advancements in Alzheimer’s research has grown exponentially. From what seemed to be an impossible task, developing not only an understanding but a cure is now a great possibility within the next 10 to 20 years. With multi-omics bioinformatics and structural biology, learning the system and etiologyThe cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition. of this disease is more feasible than ever.

Student worker IV/Marketing Assistant, Knowledge Enterprise

Master of Laws graduate infuses the law with STEM


May 4, 2023

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2023 graduates.

Christina Grey’s path to the law wasn’t a straight line. She received her undergraduate degree in mathematics and worked as a high school math teacher for several years. Ultimately, a desire to help others took over and she found her way to law school.  Headshot of Christina Grey in glasses and a black blouse smiling at the camera. Christina Grey Download Full Image

“I realized I wanted to make a difference and give back to my community and decided a great way to do that was through studying and practicing law,” she said. 

Grey graduated with her Juris Doctor degree from the Baylor University School of Law in 2019 and went on to practice law as an assistant attorney general for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. But her love of STEM never left her. 

This spring, Grey is earning her Master of Laws (LLM) in biotechnology. The advanced degree program is for people who want to expand their legal knowledge or specialize in a certain legal field. 

Next, Grey, a native of Lake Jackson, Texas, will return to her roots in teaching after accepting a position as a visiting assistant professor at the University of South Dakota School of Law. 

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU Law — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: I learned more about biotechnology and how science and law intersect in more areas than just patents.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I chose ASU because it is a good school and I already lived in Phoenix, so I could work full time and still attend classes.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: Professor Gary Marchant, Regents Professor of Law and director of the Center for Law, Science and Innovation.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Focus on your goals but also focus on yourself and what you need. Mental health is important.

Q: What about advice for those considering ASU Law?

A: It's a great school with professors who truly care about your success.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: Housing. I would aim to make sure everyone had a place to live with a roof over their head.

Q: What does graduating mean to you and your loved ones?

A: It means a continuation of my education and furthering my path to my goals.

Q: Who, if anyone, helped you get here?

A: Professor Marchant supported me and was one of my references in job applications.

Lindsay Walker

Communications Manager, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law