Professional Goals

A few main goals that I am hoping to take away from my LHSI experience includes developing a better understanding of how a research lab functions, as well as a better comprehension on how to interpret, examine, and explain the purpose and results of research experiments. I also hope to become a more well rounded professional student within science by refining my lab skills while learning new interventions and techniques.

In order to fulfill these goals I have been shadowing various lab members as they teach me the different protocols they are each working on. A few specific protocols include DNA genotyping, various cell culture assays, and mouse handling. I also have had the opportunity myself to work on all the different techniques and assays which eventually come together along with different testing/data collection as results of the research being studied in Dr. Kacena’s lab. A requirement of the lab included completing various perquisite training courses on campus and online which outline how a lab functions and detail different protocols in different situations. In addition, I have been applying the information I learn in these courses as I work hands in Dr. Kacena’s lab to continue developing a sense of how a lab functions.