“Started from the bottom now we’re here” – Well-known Canadian poet
As the program comes to close, I cannot believe how quickly the summer has passed. Eight weeks ago, the title of my first post was “Started from the bottom” so naturally my final post is “Now I’m here.”
Where is here exactly? Here is feeling comfortable with the lab and the people in it. Here is knowing things that I never would have learned in a classroom. Here is leaps and bounds beyond where I began in terms of experience and knowledge about research. Yet, here is still pretty undecided about what I want to do after college.
I have learned so much in my time at the Donald lab, both about computational protein design and about research in general. If I have learned anything, I have learned how important collaboration is. The sharing of ideas within the lab and with other labs plays such an integral part in research. Asking questions, making comments,and asking more questions is the quickest way to learn. Reading scientific literature is also a skill that I didn’t expect to learn this summer. It is incredible to think about just how much information is out there, the amazing strides people have taken, and still how much is left to explore.
I don’t know if I will ultimately end up in research, but regardless, this experience was invaluable. Coming into the summer, I had barely thought of the upcoming year, let alone graduate school. But I discovered it is impossible to listen to faculty talks and people’s journeys in research without thinking of maybe having my own. At this point, I think I will go to graduate school. Maybe not immediately, but someday.
Last but not least, I would like to thank the HHRF program, Dr. Grunwald, KP, and Paul for giving me a chance. I’ve come a long way in my eight weeks, and I’m glad to be where I am.
