I was attracted to BSURF as an entry-point into research. I felt a little overwhelmed in my first year trying to find and join a lab. BSURF made it really easy for me to be in a lab, and I’m really grateful for that! I’m considering research as a career: I want to have my own lab someday, I think! But before this program, I could only guess at this, as I hadn’t been in a lab yet. I was attracted to the idea of research, but I had no idea how researchers actually lived their lives from day to day. Research felt abstract, larger than life, intangible– now I can say I’ve gotten my hands dirty in the name of science! Between being immersed in the lab community full-time and all the faculty speakers who shared insights into their lives, I feel I have a way better understanding of what a researcher’s life is like. The diverse lifestyles and people I’ve been exposed to this summer have made me more certain that I want to have my own lab someday!
I’m so grateful for my match with the He Lab. I love my project and the people I work with, and I’m really excited to continue working with them. A long-term commitment to a lab is exactly what I was hoping to get out of BSURF! Over the summer, I’ve become a better scientist: I’ve learned new techniques, begun practicing science communication, developed my skills in asking questions– and even started to answer some questions!
I’ve also made friends with some amazing people in the BSURF program and made great memories outside the lab. To quote my dear friend and fellow BSURFer, Julian: “This summer will always linger in my heart.”
Thank you to Dr. Grunwald, Dr. Harrell, Grace, and Kehali for making BSURF so great! Thank you to everyone in the He Lab and especially Saunia and Dr. He for being so welcoming– I can’t wait to keep working with you! BSURF has given me a great community, both inside the lab and out– I have so many people to be grateful for. 🙂
