Summer Reflections

Hello everyone,

It is hard to believe that eight weeks has gone by so quickly. This program flew by, with the exception of this past week. I never knew how much work went into making a scientific poster, but in the end I am quite happy with how it turned out. I think I was able to learn quite a bit this summer, not only about the research in my lab and how to further my own research, but also about making scientific research a career. After hearing from numerous faculty members about their introductions to science and the path they took to their current careers, it is reassuring to know that it is perfectly fine to not know what I want currently.

This summer was invaluable in furthering my research project in the lab. I was able to learn numerous new protocols and background science pertaining to my project that I am now able to begin articulating what I would like my independent study to be down the road. Having the capacity to work full days in the lab was a helpful simulation of what life as a graduate student would be like. The jury is still out on whether or not I really enjoyed the simulation. It is quite difficult to constantly work seven days a week, particularly when the results just simply are not coming in. It takes a good deal of patience and resolve; however, it is a phenomenal feeling when those expected results do come in.

Overall, I would like to thank the HHRF program staff (Dr. Grunwald, KP, Paul, URS office) for this fantastic opportunity to engage in research and further my career as a young scientist. As I have said previously, I cannot imagine my future without some form of basic scientific research component. The next stage is figuring out what percentage of my future time I would like to spend as a researcher versus perhaps in the clinic.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *