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.
