Here I am amputating the heart of a zebrafish to study heart regeneration
As I pulled into Duke after a 8.5 hour drive, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I would be living in an apartment, cooking actual meals for myself, being immersed in research, and being one step closer to becoming an adult. I was excited yet apprehensive. With no previous research background, I did not know what to expect besides the usual movie-inspired ideas including wearing a white lab coat, pipetting various solutions, and changing the world one idea at a time.
This summer, I have the privilege of working in the Poss lab under the direction of Dr. Ravi Karra. The Poss lab studies heart regeneration in zebrafish. I was very interested in the Poss lab because of its study of regeneration (spinal, fin, and heart) and its work with zebrafish. But I did not really know what to expect. The Poss lab is a much bigger lab than a lab that I had worked in during my freshmen year at Duke and had many more people in the lab. Additionally, my mentor was not only a research scientist but also a practicing cardiologist. Consequently, I had many questions coming into the program. What kinds of techniques and skills would I learn? Would I be doing research that could answer questions about human hearts? How would I get along with the other members of the lab?
Walking into this program, I did not really have expectations. Rather, I have hopes that I desire to accomplish. I hope to learn how to use a variety of lab equipment (including different microscopes) and gain many more lab skills. I hope to become better acquianted with working with zebrafish and mice. I also hope to understand the mechanisms behind regeneration and understand the different research methods that aim to understand regeneration. I also desire to be able to connect with the people in my lab, to form a strong bond with my mentor, and to leave a positive lasting image. I hope to be curious, to be bold, and to be hungry. As someone who is considering pursuing a MD/PhD, I am excited to be immersed in the world of research and to really understand and experience the life of a research scientist. I have realized that there are so many complex elements to research and eight weeks will only offer a taste of what research is like. But I am confident that the hours, work, and dedication I input will be small in comparison to the skills, knowledge, and experience I gain from these eight weeks. I am grateful for having this opportunity and cannot wait to kickstart my projects!
