What type of experiments will you be conducting? What organisms will you be working with? What will your research be contributing to?
These were the sorts of questions I received from friends and family in the weeks leading up to the start of B-SURF, and my answers always varied. At the time, it was because I was still a bit unsure myself about what to expect. I could give an overview about the scope of the research being conducted at the Soderling Lab – the focus on neuronal circuits and the neurological disorders driven by genetic mutations affecting protein function – and the techniques implemented there – mouse models and CRISPR-based methods – but in terms of what my daily routine would be, that was wherein the uncertainty lay.
Now, one week into the program, my answers continue to change. And that’s okay. Every day in the lab has been a new experience; one day I will be transferring bacteria cell cultures to new Petri dishes and the next I will be running a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allowing me to develop skills I can apply for years to come. I have had the opportunity to attend lectures given by visiting scholars and grad students within the Department of Cell Biology at the Medical School, broadening my horizons as to the field of neurobiology. I have made mistakes and asked questions, coming to terms with my gaps in knowledge and areas of improvement. Most importantly, I learn something new everyday, and regardless of how basic or complex the concept, it reminds me of why I decided to apply to B-SURF in the first place. During the next seven weeks, I expect to continue to ask questions and be exposed to new ideas, welcome uncertainty, and be prepared to leave the program with new answers.
