What do you expect from your summer research experience?
Right now, I am very confused, hence the title of this blog post.
Let’s start at the beginning, my name is Lisa and I have no previous lab experience. Look, when I say I have no lab experience that means that I truly have never stepped foot in a lab before up until this summer. The lab I am working in is focused on the uses of CRISPR-Cas9. Currently, my mentor is trying to see how we can use this mechanism to activate gene expression in a specific chromosome in order to prevent Prader-willi syndrome.
This week I made agar plates for the first time and I practiced my pipetting accuracy. Apart from the elementary bench work I have done, I have sat through hours of lab meetings and discussions with my mentor about the ongoing projects. I know that this may sound like a slow start to some of my peers, but to me this slow start is nothing short of perfect. This week has shown that my mentor is the most patient person ever. She is a great teacher and is always eager to answer any questions I have. This week has also shown me that despite being an undergrad, I still have respect from other graduate students in the lab; they have been so nice and welcoming. I don’t know why I thought that my lack of skills meant that I would be shunned in the laboratory. Instead, my inexperience has entertained my mentor, and it helps her review topics that she hasn’t seen in a long time.
Going into this experience I felt completely lost. I also felt like the BSURF committee chose me as a mistake because I didn’t have nearly as much experience as the rest of my cohort. However, this week has helped ease these feelings of uncertainty. Moving forward, I expect this summer to be great. The fact that I know so little means that I have so much to learn. I aim to become more confident in my own abilities in the lab. Additionally, this opportunity has allowed me to consider the possibility of getting involved in the research world after graduating. Overall, I’m looking forward to improve my scientific skills as well as my understanding of the CRISPR-Cas9.
