Taric Miles, Davenport ‘27
Diving into Research: A Journey of Self-Exploration through Neurobiology and Chemical Curiosity
Written by William Chen
Edited by Charlie Wong
Taric Miles didn’t come to Yale with a background in research - but he did bring a spirit of curiosity, resilience, and the unexpected ability to jump rope while sitting down. Now a junior majoring in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry (MB&B) in Davenport College, Taric is delving into neurobiology research in the Jonathon Howard Lab, where he studies gene knockdown techniques in the nerve cells of Hydra, a freshwater organism known for its regenerative capabilities.
His love for biology began in high school, where passionate teachers sparked his fascination with how life works on a molecular level. “I liked how expansive the field was,” Taric recalls, “and how there’s always more to discover.” That passion carried over to Yale, where he immediately sought out lab positions. After searching through the Yale student job database, he found an opening in the Howard Lab and applied - drawn both by the topic of the research and the reputation of Dr. Jonathon Howard, a renowned neurobiologist and his current PI.
From the start, Taric has appreciated the collaborative and supportive environment of his lab. Through weekly meetings with Dr. Howard, Taric also gained a tremendous amount of support in the form of valuable mentorship and feedback on his research progress. Furthermore, under the nurturing guidance of his postdoctoral mentor - Dr. Raymond Adkins - Taric has also learned quite a lot, saying that “He’s incredibly understanding and takes the time to explain things.” Besides guiding Taric’s work, Dr. Adkins also gave him the freedom to explore new directions based upon Taric’s own interests.
Taric’s current project focuses on developing effective methods to knock down gene expression in Hydra neurons. It’s a technical challenge with implications for better understanding the nervous system and, potentially, for informing treatment approaches to neurological disorders. He believes the project’s flexibility and scientific rigor are what make it so engaging.
Though the lab experience has deepened his appreciation for biology, Taric’s academic path has taken a slight pivot. His chemistry classes, he admits, have captured his imagination even more than expected and said that “In the future, I want to pursue chemistry research with biological applications.” In addition Taric is also etting his sights on a Ph.D. in Chemical Biology or Organic Chemistry in the near future post-Yale.
Like many first-generation researchers, Taric faced early moments of self-doubt. “I used to be hard on myself when I didn’t understand things right away,” he says. “But I realized that no one expects you to know everything starting out—your mentors are there to teach you. That’s the point.” For other undergraduates thinking about research, his advice is simple: “Find a lab with a good culture. Make sure your PI and postdoc have the time and willingness to mentor you. And don’t stress if you’re new, everyone starts somewhere.”
Outside the lab, Taric finds joy in another kind of rhythm - he is an enthusiastic member of the Yale Club Jump Rope team. And yes, he really can jump rope while sitting. Whether in the lab or mid-air, Taric Miles is driven by curiosity, focus, and the belief that science should be both rigorous and fun. As he continues to explore the molecular world, he’s already taking bold steps - some on the ground, and some above it.