Category Archives: BSURF 2023

Blogs for the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Fellowship 2023

Farewell to BSURF

I’m not usually too sentimental, but I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and memories I’ve made at this year’s BSURF summer program. I’m thankful to Dr. Grunwald and Dr. Harrell for organizing the program and Grace Hooks and Kehali Woldemichael for putting together everything from puzzle competitions to lemur center trips.

Even with incredible faculty talks and adventures around Durham, I am most grateful to the BSURF program for providing me with the opportunity to work at the Kiehart Lab this summer. I’m particularly thankful to Dr. Kiehart, Dr. Crawford, Melissa Sican, and Mina Moghaddam for their support and patience throughout. Seeing what “research” means helped me decide that this is a career I could see myself pursuing. I was scared that a career in research would mean some Wellsian experience worthy of Dr. Moreau, but I’ve grown to appreciate how important collaboration and communication are to research. I’m genuinely grateful to my lab mentors and members for their guidance and support, and I know this experience is one that will shape the rest of my career–during and after Duke.

Beyond the academic experience, the program’s extracurricular activities have made this summer one that I will surely remember. I loved canoeing on the Eno River, volunteering at the Urban Ministries of Durham, and exploring the Durham farmers market. These experiences helped me become more familiar with Durham and know the area beyond the college. I’ve made friendships that I’ll treasure through the rest of my time at Duke, and I’m immensely appreciative of the chance to build relationships with people with similar career aspirations.

It would take far better writing skills than my own to fully express my gratitude to the program organizers, lab members, and friends who made my experience with BSURF so incredibly wonderful. Still, I wanted to thank them again because I couldn’t imagine a better summer experience. This summer has been an extraordinary blend of serious research and fun, and I look forward to the many adventures ahead!

Until August…

If I tried to summarize everything I’ve learned this summer, about complex scientific techniques, about careers in research, and about myself, I think this blog post would be a novel. 

My mentor, Dr. Trisha Vaidyanathan, was the key component in making my summer experience as incredible as it was. She went beyond teaching me what I needed to know for our summer project–encouraging me to attend lab meetings, lab social events, and planning for me to shadow others in the lab to learn about their respective projects and paths.

Being able to shadow others made my summer experience all the more unique and beneficial. I was able to expand my experience further by working with techniques and model organisms different from those used in my project–ranging from in-vivo 2-photon imaging of astrocytic calcium activity in mice to breeding transgenic zebrafish. I even had the opportunity to attend a thesis dissertation by a member of the Eroglu lab!

As for my path in research, this summer has been incredibly useful in learning which aspects of science I enjoy most. Specifically, after experiencing both behavioral and molecular work, I find myself more drawn to questions at the molecular and cellular level. I intend to continue working in the Bilbo lab this coming semester, and hope to be able to further explore the molecular and cellular techniques being performed in the lab.

Outside the lab, through our BSURF programming, I learned not only about the breadth of research being done at Duke, but also about the various paths through academia, and the day-to-day lives of those who’ve chosen to pursue research. 

I’m incredibly thankful to the Bilbo Lab for welcoming me and making sure I felt comfortable in a new and intimidating environment.

I don’t think this blog post would feel complete without also talking about my BSURF friends. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of friends to spend the summer with– from our nightly group dinners, movie nights, and spontaneous Durham excursions, I always knew I had something to look forward to coming home from lab.

The Bittersweet End of a Beautiful Journey

As I lay on my Swift bed for the final time, reminiscing about the past 8 weeks, I find myself constantly wondering “Where did all the time go”? It feels as if it were just yesterday when I got an email from Dr.Grunwald notifying me about my placement in the Silva Lab. I was super excited, but more certainly nervous. I had little to no experience in the lab and hardly even touched a pipet! I will never forget the first day I walked in for training.  My wonderful lab mentor, Dr.Omur, welcomed me and provided me with a quick tour and preview of the lab. “Wow, this is so exciting and cool”, I said— yet deep down I was terrified. I was filled with so much uncertainty and felt that having no prior experience or background in the field would set me back. However, under the guidance and support of my lab mentor and PI, my journey and growth in research sparked! From mastering the art of fractionating cells to conducting my own western blot procedure— I’ve achieved milestones I once thought were beyond my own reach. The members of the Silva Lab will forever hold a special place in my heart as each and every member was always willing to share their knowledge, collaborate, and provide insightful resources to support my scientific growth.

Beyond the lab, something that has made my BSURF experience heartwarming is the sense of community and friendship I developed among my brilliant peers. I could never have imagined meeting such an amazing, supportive, and talented group of students if it weren’t for this program. Sharing our passion for science and research has created an unbreakable bond among us, and we became not only members of the same program, but a family. I will always cherish the time we served dinner at the homeless shelter and having the chance to speak with several individuals whose voices are often unheard. The visit truly inspired and resonated with me, because at the end of the day, each end every one of us have a story to share. The visit to the lemur center and our late night boba runs after a long day of lab will also always be a fond memory of mine. I look forward to continuing these connections in my life beyond this summer and even after graduating Duke— because as we reflect on our time together, we will discover that this summer experience has revealed a strong kinship among us all.

I would like to take this time to extend my deepest appreciation for Dr.Grunwald (aka Dr.G) for everything he has done to make this summer experience unforgettable. His dedication to helping us grow as researchers has been truly inspiring. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of his last time directing BSURF and I am truly thankful for the impact he has had on my life. I will continue to carry on all of the valuable lessons I’ve learned from him into my academic and professional future— and will always remember that without clear communication, your work means nothing!

Additionally, I would like to express my appreciation to Kehali and Grace for being the best graduate assistants we could ever ask for. Their commitment to making sure we have the proper resources to succeed has been truly beneficial. I am grateful for everything they have done and even going grocery shopping to provide us with breakfast to make sure we are well nourished and perform our best in lab. These small gestures made a big difference in our lives and I wish them both the absolute best of luck during the rest of their time in graduate school… and I am incredibly proud of them both!

As I finish this reflection, I find myself tearing up… grateful for the growth, the support, the community, and the cherished memories that will stay with me forever.

From the bottom of my heart… thank you everyone for an unforgettable summer— now go be the best scientists you can be!

BSURF’s Conclusion

When I started this blog and this summer program, my primary expectations were to develop experience in a lab and learn about the lifestyle of a researcher. And as this summer comes to close, I can say these expectations were absolutely fulfilled. This experience has absolutely shown me what life in a lab is like, as I spent a lot of time working closely with my mentor and observing their day-to-day tasks.This summer program provided me with quite an invaluable experience for someone interested in the biological sciences. I am glad and grateful that I finally was able to physically be in a lab for the first time. 

This experience has influenced me by opening my eyes to what many careers in science are like. This was not only because of my work in the lab, but also because of the faculty talks that we had many mornings. Duke faculty members visited us and discussed the trajectory of their careers and academic journeys. Hearing specific stories was incredibly helpful for learning about what pursuing science professionally is like, and I’m glad I got to listen to many different speakers. Additionally, the presentation of a poster helped me with my science communication skills, as I had to prepare a visually appealing poster and describe the significance of it to a variety of listeners who knew varying degrees of context about my work. This summer was a productive, eye-opening, and fun one that I will definitely remember!



And That’s a Wrap

Hello! I knew BSURF would feel quick, but wow, these last eight weeks have flown by.

In my first blog post, I wrote about how I had always been slightly intimidated by research. I was nervous about my capabilities in the lab and worried I would make mistakes in procedures such as DNA extractions and PCRs. While I have made such mistakes occasionally, I’ve been blessed to have a mentor who trusts me and even encourages me to explore and make some mistakes to understand what steps/precautions to take in experimental procedures. Carlos has been such an incredible mentor in that he makes me feel comfortable trying new things and asking for help in the lab. I love to ask Carlos, “What is the worst thing that could happen if I… (random thing, e.g., add too much buffer),” to which he always gives a thorough response that informs how I go about my procedure. The funniest example that pops into my mind is me asking, “What would happen if I dunked my hand into the liquid nitrogen?” to which he responded calmly, “It would immediately freeze.”

This trust and open line of communication has helped me grow much more confident as a scientist, as I now understand that everything in the lab is an experiment! We’ve had to troubleshoot many experiments even though we followed the procedures because, as often seen in science, there are unaccounted variables that change our results. Seeing this unpredictability in the lab has made me understand that science is not a stagnant, linear “if a, then b” field of study but rather one that is continually changing, informed by new observations and experiments. Sometimes the procedure won’t work, and that’s okay! You can retract and do mini-experiments to determine what could have influenced the outcome. Knowing that science is unpredictable, I feel more comfortable learning new skills and not knowing what to expect.

Another major lesson I’ve learned in BSURF is the importance of scientific communication. BSURF has done an incredible job of implementing workshops that help us develop these skills. From listening to faculty describe their research and career journeys to condensing our summer projects into eight minutes of speech, I’ve learned that science is not just about the work you do in the lab but also about sharing it with your peers and the public. It has been invaluable to have the chance to learn different modes of communication, such as abstracts, papers, posters, chalk talks, and presentations, and also practice them in a welcoming environment. I was so nervous about my chalk talk, but it was a great experience with a cohort of peers, many of whom were also experiencing it for the first time. Completing each deliverable felt like an accomplishment, and I thank Carlos, Dr. Lutzoni, Dr. Grunwald, Dr. Harrell, Grace, and Kehali for providing feedback throughout these processes.

Finally, I feel so lucky to have met amazing people this summer. It has been a privilege to live in Swift with not just BSURF but also other programs like the Huang Fellows program. We have all grown so close through carpooling, group cooking, and supporting one another through the research experience. I did not come into the program knowing many people before, but I am blessed to have met such kind-hearted, motivated, down-to-earth people. I am happy to enter my sophomore year with these new friendships and excited to see the great things everyone will accomplish! Thank you, BSURF!

Carlos! 7/27/23

The Summer of ’23

As I’m sitting here writing this, my dear friend Riley Reeves is strumming along to “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. In many ways, this song encapsulates my feelings about this summer and my future in general. My B-SURF summer experience changed my outlook on research and my academic interests, and in many ways it was necessary for my growth. I will forever be grateful for having been given the opportunity to participate in it.

For one, I learned what it meant to be a researcher. Prior to joining B-SURF, I had worked with the Yan Lab, but I hadn’t started a research project yet. With the help of B-SURF, I undertook an eight-week research project that tested my resilience and willingness to fail and learn.

At many points throughout my summer, I felt uncertain. I felt as though I would never even be able to grasp the topics I was researching. Near the middle of the program I hit a weak point in which I thought I was not smart enough or capable enough to be able to do research. I remember getting home from work and going straight to the room across the hallway (the babe cave) and venting for what felt like hours about how I felt incapable. My dear friends took my insecurities and supported me through words of validation and ideas on how to make my research experience more sustainable. Had it not been for the amazing support system we created in those eight short weeks, I do not think I would’ve enjoyed my time nearly as much as I did.

Reflecting back on the first blog post I made, I did not mention friendships or community nearly as much. Part of me thought it would be difficult to actually form meaningful connections in such a short period of time. Living next door from my friends changed that preconception. If I ever felt upset about a rough day at work, I could run across the hall and complain. If I ever felt joy about succeeding in research, I could run across the hall and celebrate with friends. These moments are what made B-SURF so unique and meaningful.

I know I will stay in touch with the people I met in B-SURF. I already made sure that I was in the same BIO-202 lecture as Kennedy, and I made sure to be in the same COMPSCI 101 lecture as Riley. I hope that I can find more meaningful research experiences in the future like BSURF 2023 has been for me.

BSURF’s Influence

To be quite honest, this summer was way more than I ever anticipated it to be. To start, the lab that I was able to be apart of, the Animal Locomotion Lab, was a blessing to be a member of. The community was so nice and they created a space for me where I was free to grow and make mistakes. They were so kind, never made me feel left out, and were available to talk about anything, from explosive locomotion to Barbie. While the lab was always vibrant and talkative, those things never detracted from the good science that was being done every day in the lab. We were very productive and there is a chance for two papers to come out of all the work that we did. I look forward to staying with them for the foreseeable future and continuing to learn from everyone.

The cohort of people in BSURF has also made a major impact on how much I enjoyed this summer. It has been a pleasure to be around such kind people with science-focused minds and I look forward to continuing the many friendships that I have made.

Going into this summer, I would have never imagined the different side quests that my P.I would have me and Demi going on. From gorilla dissections to lemur parkour, as well as a quick detour in the human anatomy lab, I am glad that I have been able to explore so many different things in the field of biomechanics and anatomy.

All in all, this experience has been great and will prove to have been formative in the way that I conduct research in the future.

Coming to a Close – BSURF 2023, Week 8

When I applied to BSURF, I didn’t know what I was going to do this summer. I thought that as long as it was related to biology, I should be fine. I have to say that this program exceeded my expectations.

From giving me the opportunity to experience research to meeting some really awesome people in my class, BSURF really expanded my view of my future college years.

One of my favorite parts of the program was listening to different faculty members give talks about their life journey’s, work, and insights. I think that these talks helped give me a lot of guidance for what my next steps should be in my science career.

Duke places special emphasis on their research and that really becomes evident when you see the effort put into programs that empower undergrads and give them resources to succeed in research.

I would like to thank Grace, Kehali, Dr. Grunwald, and Dr. Harrell as well as the Dong Lab for such a great and well-planned summer! Special shout-out to Yezi, my awesome mentor! Thanks for being patient with me and continually being so good-natured throughout this experience.

This concludes my final week of BSURF and my final blog post.

Polite applause!

 

An Immersive BSURF Summer to Remember

I can’t believe my summer with BSURF is coming to an end?!?! It seems as though it was yesterday when I first stepped inside the Perfect lab, kind of nervous but mostly excited too for what the summer would bring.

Walking into the Perfect Lab that first day, I was walked through the procedure of making YPD agar to fill inside Petri dishes. I had no clue what YPD was or why it was needed for my experiment. Turns out that YPD is an important factor in my experiment, it’s the food that the cells that I work with need to grow. From then on, my mentor, Jenny, began introducing me to new procedures and machinery which at the time was terrifying because, for one, I didn’t want to break/damage any equipment and two, it was a lot of new things at once to handle but with time and practice, that emotion transformed into enthusiasm as I was able to master the techniques and carry the experiment on my own without doing too much damage. Jenny’s reassurance made me feel comfortable with the idea that mistakes and failures in science are something that is inevitable and one just has to learn and move on from it. Whether it’s the machine’s fault because it won’t want to cooperate with you, or a contaminant has infected your strain, or you pipette the wrong concentration of a solution into something that needed the right concentration, and it’s irreversible, so you got to start back from the beginning, it’s all okay because rest assure you won’t be the first or last person in the laboratory working history that has done it. With that being said, some mistakes were made along the way, but that didn’t stop me, and it’s amazing to see how far I’ve progressed in the lab.

There’s a specific moment I can recall that I felt I experienced my “Harry Potter” moment, and that was when I was practicing to pipette. Jenny told me that each pipette is different, not just the fact that there are specific ones needed for a specific liquid measurement, as people have various ways to grip and press on them which brands take into account. I was still new at pipetting and there were some pipettes that I had more trouble using, so she had me try out different ones until I found the one that was the right one for me to utilize, which brought me back to how Harry tried out different wands until he found the wand met for him. Just as wands help create different spells for wizards, pipettes enable scientists to create different solutions in the lab because knowing the right measurements is important. Too much of a substance or too little can throw the experiment off course. I can proudly say I’ve mastered the art of pipetting, which a testament to that is that I’ve pipetted onto a 96-well plate and a 384-well plate. Pipetting into the 384 well plate was the biggest test to my capability, as one needs to have A LOT of patience and be accurate while doing it because otherwise, bubbles can form or some of the tips in the multichannel pipette may not intake the same amount of the solution onto it. I also now know how to use a microscope and a robot for high-quality imaging, which I am proud to say because learning it was a struggle as different steps are required along the way. I have gained so much knowledge and with that, gained confidence in myself that I can do science, despite how much of the journey is unknown to me.

I owe the success of my project to my mentor Jenny, P.I Dr.Perfect, and other valuable members of the Perfect Lab, who stood by me every step of the way and guided me with their wisdom to me so that I could grow more as a scientist. As many of the lecturers highlighted in their talks, the community inside the lab is a contributing factor to a project’s success because that community needs to be supportive, fun, friendly, patient, and encouraging with each other for everyone to have a good time and enjoy the scientific discoveries along the way which I did find within the Perfect Lab.

Outside the lab, that community that the lecturers talked about, I found it with my fellow BSURFers as well. I am happy to say that I made new friends this summer that I hope to carry with me through the rest of my journey here at Duke. From Bachelorette Sundays, and boba & food outings, to trips like going canoeing, hanging with the Lemurs, or the movies, I enjoyed the time I got to spend with you all, and I would like to thank you for adding fun to this experience. In the beginning, we were all adjusting to a new environment, from being in a lab for the first time or learning to be the independent adults we are and tackle meal prepping, budgeting, giving a chalk talk for the first time, and even timing our bus pick up. We shared some of that anxiety, and it was nice to know that I wasn’t alone in it and that we could share as well as together found ways to cope throughout the journey. We explored Durham together and had lots of laughs along the way. I would like to y’all, my fellow BSURFers, for making this summer a memorable one for me. Congratulations to everyone on overcoming the challenges, making the most of the summer, and on your projects which are all mind-blowing. We all have overcome so much, and it’ll be great to see our final products tomorrow 🙂

I am beyond grateful for the lessons I gained, both inside the lab and outside with our morning faculty talks and journal club lessons. The lessons that took place in our temporary BSURF classroom were an enjoyable way to start my mornings because they were very engaging. From learning about the various phenomenal research projects which Duke Faculty members are working on to gaining a lot of advice useful for my future like knowing how to go about dissecting scientific papers, and programs to apply for in the future, as well as how to improve how I present/communicate my findings in a scientific setting. Because as Dr.Grunwald emphasizes, “What you do in a lab doesn’t matter unless you are communicating your findings to others.” I will carry these lessons with me always. One of the most important lessons learned by experience is how to recover from a capsizing experience and don’t forget about snakes’ special gripping abilities!

Finally, I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr.Grunwald, Dr.Harrell, Grace, and Kehali for making BSURF a possibility. Thanks to the passion and hard work you put in, your guidance, support, and kindness for us which made BSURF an unforgettable experience! You all taught us what it means to be a scientist and provided us with the tools we needed to make our projects happen. Thank you! BSURF was a truly transformative experience and has laid the foundation for me to pursue research, which I hope to continue in the Perfect Lab.

Thanks to BSURF, this will be a summer I won’t forget and an experience forever impacting my journey at Duke. I will recommend future freshmen to apply and hope that they can be immersed in the way I have. Thank you all, and I wish you all a great remainder of the summer.

Dr.Robert Lefkowitz: Duke’s Very Own #1

As I reflect on all of the captivating guest faculty speaker’s we’ve had this summer, there was one who left an everlasting impression on me— Dr.Robert Lefkowitz. His journey from a medical resident to becoming a Nobel laureate showed me the various rewards of knowledge and groundbreaking research. Dr.Lefkowitz’s dedication to investigating the complexities of human biology and his significant impact on pharmaceutical research makes him a true inspiration. On top of that, his unique personality and sense of humor made his talk even more enjoyable and interacting. It was interesting to hear him share personal stories with us, such as the time he was recognized at a Duke home game and awarded the #1 jersey by Coack K or when he was given the opportunity to throw the first pitch in the Durham Bull’s baseball game. During his talk, not a single moment passed without a smile on my face, laughter in my heart, and a sense of overwhelming joy in me. Apart from sharing his academic background, research experiences, and personal life stories, Dr.Lefkowitz generously offered valuable pieces of advice that will continue to inspire and guide us throughout our academic and research journey. His story serves as a constant reminder that with passion, determination, and genuine love for what we do, we can all achieve greatness! I am motivated to embrace challenges, take risks, and utilize science to make a positive impact on the world— just like Dr.Lefkowitz has done. If I were to ever see Dr.Lefkowitz in person, my first words would be: “Thank you”.

Two Months… Eight Weeks… Fifty-Six Days… Not Enough Time

Was it really 8 weeks ago when I first introduced my readers to the start of my journey this summer with the Chi lab and where I noted that we should eat more iron? Just a few weeks ago it still felt like I had all the time in the world and now all of a sudden I only have a few days left.

I am so appreciative of what this summer brought for me. I went from someone likened to a newborn bird with no idea on the world I have entered and no direction in which to navigate said world to someone who now has solid footing. I can now handle and digest scientific literature full of terminology, perform various assays within the lab, and someone who is on their way to having effective communication. As, Dr. Grunwald notes, nothing we do in the lab matters if we do not communicate it.

I am beyond thankful to my PI: Dr. Chi, my mentor: Jerry, and of course everyone else in the lab for being so accommodating and supportive, specifically their trust in me in that I will succeed and become a valued member of the lab despite me failing experiments for the fourth time in a row. And while life in the lab wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, the rough patches of the experience really pushed me, and only made the good parts even sweeter.

Special thanks to the wonderful faculty speakers who took their times to speak to us. In the beginning it was interesting to hear from them on their research and their paths to where they are now, but looking back I gain so much gratitude and am realizing just how valuable their advice and tips for all forms of the life of a scientist and their own stories are.

Of course I cannot leave out Dr. Grunwald, Dr. Harrell, Kehali, and Grace in BSURF for providing such an opportunity and guidance, and course my fellow peers for without them BSURF wouldn’t have been what this experience has been.

I came in being extremely excited and anxious about what this summer would entail and I leave this summer satisfied with how it went and with the hopes of building upon the foundation that has now been laid.

FLWOR – First, “Last Week of Research” (and BSURF Review)

If you had told me that I would be working in a full cleanroom suit this summer, I wouldn’t have believed you.

My favorite experience from the lab has been working on the fabrication of the master, which must be done in the Cleanroom of the Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF). I learned how to use several different types of tools and machines, as well as practice my benchwork techniques. I also read a LOT of papers and now have a better understanding of cell culturing, the microvascular system, and microfluidic devices. As I prepare for my final poster presentation on Friday, I hope that I get to experience many more FLWORs as I discuss my future in the lab with Dr. Gerecht; I still have to improve my pipetting before taking more labs in the fall! (Side quest, but I also hope to attend more soccer games with a few of my lab mates. We went to the Chelsea vs Wrexham game last week and even managed to get some autographs!)

As for BSURF, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the weekly outings! Thank you all for planning and organizing them for us so that we may get to know Durham better. My personal favorite was canoeing on Eno and learning to effectively splash others. And I guess it was also very engaging to hear from all our different faculty members at Duke. It was super interesting to learn about their different paths and areas of research, teaching me the diverse range of possibilities that come with biological sciences. Lastly, thank you to Dr. Grunwald, Dr. Harrell, Grace, and Kehali for helping us grow as researchers. I’ve learned a lot about the characteristics needed to be a “good scientist,” such as communication, integrity, and asking good questions. This summer was a great “free trial” at pursuing a career in biomedical engineering in research as an option, which I hope to continue with Emily and the lab. It was definitely a summer well spent under a virtually perfected program!

P.S. Here’s a pic of me with three lab mates at the aforementioned soccer match with autographed jerseys 🙂

Embracing the New: A Journey of Learning, Trust, and Community

Change has always been a challenge for me – new environments, routines, and especially meeting new people and learning to trust them. The start of BSURF was no exception. In all honesty, the first week was overwhelming, filled with unfamiliarity: new faces, a new apartment, and a new workplace.

Yet, amidst the uncertainty, one thing remained familiar and comforting – learning. Immersing myself in scientific questions and thoughts helped me forget the unease around me. As the summer progressed, I absorbed a wealth of scientific knowledge, gaining clarity on my career aspirations, and discovering fascinating research projects and paths.

Little did I know that this learning process would extend beyond science; it taught me to find comfort in the uncomfortable and to let myself open up and trust others. In just eight short weeks, I connected with people whose sole intention was to only help me be the best I can be, and that’s what makes this program truly special.

One of these individuals is Dr. Mercedes Barzi, my mentor. Her authenticity, passion, and care were inspiring, and her research served as a guiding light for my own aspirations. With her guidance, I learned not only about the importance of paying attention to detail but also how to think independently, question everything, and find something to laugh about in every situation. But beyond it all, her kindness and nurturing helped me recognize that I could let myself trust others.

Another essential figure in my journey is Dr. Bissig, or Dimi, my PI. It’s rare to find someone who invests so much trust in a kid they barely know, but Dimi did just that. He entrusted me with my very own research project and is supporting me wholeheartedly throughout. Thank you, Dimi, I won’t let you down!

I am also grateful to Dr. Jason Somarelli and Dr. Tom Shultz, two new mentors I have found this summer. Already, Dr. Somarelli’s unwavering support is helping me achieve my goals and pursue my passions, and his generosity to help me in everyway he can has touched me deeply. Dr. Shultz provided me a super exciting opportunity to pursue my passion in marine science and assured me of his continual support even if it meant I wouldn’t be working with him – a sign of an exceptional mentor.

In a short time, I’ve formed an amazing community of role models. They’ve shown me how much kindness the world has to offer and in turn, have helped me open up and let myself trust others. I think this is what science is all about. I think this is what it really means to be a scientist: building and nurturing communities across cultures, generations, and oceans, all working together to make the world just a bit brighter.

Before BSURF, I struggled to adjust to life at Duke, thousands of miles from my home. But it was because of BSURF that I can finally say I’ve found a home here. None of this would have been possible without the support of Dr. Grunwald, Dr. Harrell, Grace, and Kehali. I am sincerely grateful for this transformative opportunity. Thank you.

 

Thank you!

One of the main insecurities I had working in the lab before this summer was feeling lost in the techniques and rationale of the experiments. I couldn’t see the purpose of the assays or could only understand how they worked individually. To grasp the greater picture of the work takes time and practice. This is something I could do a lot during these two months. I had time to sit down with my mentor and ask questions, participate in journal clubs, and repeat experiments until I felt confident. Although 8 weeks go by quickly, I can say it was a great start to my scientific journey. I still have more questions than answers, but I know where to start searching for them. 

 

BSURF has also been great for my social connections. I’ll take the career advice and life experiences from the professors and their talks with me when looking for new opportunities and making new decisions in the future. I feel more assured about my career prospects now after hearing their stories filled with success, failure, luck, and a lot of fun. I could see in the way they talked how much they enjoyed their research. I want to be able to say that about myself in the future as well.  

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend outings and just spending time with my new friends that also have a fascination for Biology, whether it was watching movies, getting boba, canoeing, or having a potluck. It has been an exciting summer and I want to thank everyone that made it special for me and I hope BSURF can continue to engage Biology enthusiasts in the year to come. 

Reflecting on a incredible talk by Dr. Emily Bernhardt

Throughout the past 7 weeks, we have had the honor to hear from various speakers across campus that are doing amazing things in different fields, whether it’s in a lab setting or through the academic world. With each lecture, insightful knowledge was embedded as well as great & honest advice as well as best wishes that I will be forever grateful to have been a part of the conversation. From Dr.Lefkowitz’s stimulating talk on G-protein receptors to Dr.Lawrence’s interesting talk on how our diet can impact the microbiome’s composition/process, each lecture left me with inspiration and curiosity for the future. One talk in specific that stood out to me was Dr.Bernhardt’s talk on the remarkable work she does both in the lab and in her academic position at Duke. She explores the environmental impact that Humans and other factors such as climate have on it.

I like the way Dr.Bernhardt sets up her presentation. She began by emphasizing that a scientist isn’t necessarily a person that works only in a lab setting, but they range in different forms and settings. It’s often a misconception people spread, but can be changed through communication. Dr.Bernhardt talks about how her passion for fieldwork began when she was a child constantly exploring the outdoors and has now allowed her to make an impact within the world of science and her surrounding home environment, from working with ghost forests to digging deep into how acid rain affects the East Coast. Dr.Bernhardt has been a part of an ongoing project, which she mentioned consisted of collecting acid rain in the Hubbard Brook Forest for analysis. This project was something that previous people had been working on for many years before she came onto the lab. Those people are collaborators to the project and a part of her team. One of the most meaningful words of advice that Dr.Bernhardt helped to concrete in my mind is the power of having a good and collaborative team to work alongside as well as helpful mentors. Even throughout the images, she displayed in her slides, you could see that often teamwork was an essential part of her projects and research expeditions. I greatly appreciate that Dr.Bernhardt didn’t sugarcoat her struggling experience throughout her career, one which caused her to leave a lab at Duke. But that one bad experience didn’t put a fork in her career road and the end, she came back to Duke and has been here, strengthening our campus even more. She talks about the struggles that come with being a faculty member at Duke and juggling that with her lab. Another point that Dr.Bernhardt made, which is a mindset that Dr.Grunwald constantly promotes, is that research is useless unless the person communicates it with others. Synthesis research is one component that Dr.Bernhardt mentioned she utilizes, which helps to reactivate the data for easier and continuous access for the public and other scientists.

Toward the end of her presentation, Dr.Bernhardt gave encouraging and genuine advice that I will carry with me as I continue on this journey, even after BSURF. Overall, her talk was truly inspiring to witness and I can’t thank you enough, Dr.Bernhardt, for bringing some confidence/ reassurance as well as lots of curiosity in me. Science isn’t always a clean setting but should be comprised of a good team to work alongside, which the BSURF program, I have gotten the experience of what it’s like. Thank you to the entire BSURF team, especially Dr.Grunwald and Dr.Harrel, for allowing us the chance to hear and connect with these wonderful scientists who, despite having gone through different paths in their journey, share some similarities and have lots of wisdom to pass down to us. I can’t wait for what lies ahead and will make the most of all the knowledge I’ve been given.

Reflection on Dr. Bernhardt’s Presentation

Throughout the BSURF summer program, we’ve had the incredible opportunity of attending an array of faculty talks, all of which were inspiring and insightful, and I’m incredibly grateful for these opportunities. As we near the end of the summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on Dr. Emily Bernhardt’s talk on ecological research and redefining success. Dr. Bernhardt cites her childhood adventures in national parks and her passion for wetland environments as inspiration for her research. Additionally, she grew up working in a hardware store, which she said has been incredibly helpful to her work as an ecologist. Today, her lab studies environments worldwide, from the impacts of acid rain in Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, mountaintop mining in West Virginia, mercury pollution in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian Amazon, and greenhouse gases in New Hope Creek right in Duke Forest.

One thing that I found particularly interesting about Dr. Bernhardt’s work is her emphasis on outreach and communication of their research findings to the public. The Bernhardt lab emphasizes data science and visualization, which helps make their research more accessible. Expanding on the theme of communication, Dr. Bernhardt stresses the importance of creating a collaborative environment in the lab. Most importantly, Dr. Bernhardt talked about the importance of redefining success. Rather than focusing on h-indices or other measurements of importance, Dr. Berhardt believes that research success is also measured by public impact and how that knowledge has impacted the communities around us.

I want to express my gratitude to all the faculty for sharing their valuable experiences with us. Special thanks to the BSURF team for organizing these inspiring opportunities. I look forward to the exciting experiences that lie ahead!

Reflecting on a talk by Dr. Chantell Evans

This summer, through BSURF, I’ve had the opportunity to hear talks from a vast array of Duke professors, allowing me to gain a better understanding of the many possible paths through academia.

Dr. Chantell Evans’ talk stood out to me–not only because of her fascinating research, but also because of her approach to thriving in academia. As someone especially interested in the cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, I was drawn to her research, which focuses on how neuronal homeostasis is maintained through mitochondrial quality control pathways. As she discussed her career path, particularly her recent journey starting the Evans lab, I learned for the first time the intricacies of running and maintaining a lab. 

A common theme throughout the BSURF talks this summer, especially those in the last few weeks, was that running a lab was much like running a small business. Before these talks, I had never taken time to think about the process of becoming a PI and setting up a lab. Dr. Chantell Evans humanized this process, telling a light-hearted story about working with a new undergrad to unbox lab equipment, label cabinets, and generally set up the lab space–tasks I’d never realized to be a part of being a PI.

Dr. Evans approached her talk with humor and lightheartedness, while effectively communicating the intricacies of her research. She presented her career choices logically, laying out the pros and cons for each, and humanizing an often intimidating path.

When I think about the type of researcher I’d like to be, and the type of lab environment I’d like to foster, I hope I can reflect the joy for research I saw in Dr. Evans’ work.

Trust Your Gut: Dr. Lawrence David’s Faculty Talk!

During this summer in the BSURF program, there were many faculty speakers who visited us to discuss their research and the paths they took to get where they are. One of these presenters was Lawrence David, who specializes in studying the genetics of the microbiome. One particular thing I find interesting is that Dr. David mentioned that diet impacts the microbe populations in one’s gut. This is because the different components of different foods provide better growing conditions for certain microbes. For example, meat’s large quantities of fat and its lack of fiber would result in different populations if consumed than if only plants were consumed. While I have heard of probiotic yogurt that advertises itself as being good for a person’s microbiome, Dr. David pointed out that it has little effect. This stuck out to me because diet is a very overlooked factor in health, and even when diet is mentioned it is often in the context of another focus. Dr. David focused on his work sequencing commonly consumed foods in order to be able to properly analyze someone’s diet based on a stool sample. This was fascinating because it was a great application for research that has the potential to make many immediate impacts in healthcare and research.