Goals & Learning

My recent internship experience, along with my involvement in the Adenosine Effect on Mouse Myometrium project, has further solidified my decision to pursue a career in medicine. During my internship, I had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the healthcare field by working closely with researchers investigating cardiovascular and nervous system health. Observing the detailed processes involved in understanding ion channel roles, conducting lab techniques like cell culture and learning about the complexities of medical research deepened my appreciation for the science behind patient care.

In addition, my work on the Adenosine Effect on Mouse Myometrium project exposed me to the investigative side of medical research. This project allowed me to explore how adenosine impacts uterine smooth muscle contraction, reinforcing my understanding of physiology and pharmacology. It also demonstrated how research plays a crucial role in developing treatments that can improve patient outcomes.

My involvement in the Immunocytochemistry project provided another valuable learning opportunity. Through this project, I gained hands-on experience in visualizing cellular components using antibody-based staining techniques. This experience enhanced my understanding of cellular structures and molecular interactions — both of which are critical in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions. Mastering the technical skills involved in immunocytochemistry further strengthened my ability to work in laboratory settings and deepened my understanding of the biological processes that influence human health.

Both experiences have strengthened my belief that becoming a medical doctor aligns perfectly with my passion for helping others and my interest in human biology. They also made me more aware of the dedication, patience, and precision required in medical research and clinical practice  qualities I am eager to continue developing.

I now feel more confident in my ability to make career-related decisions based on my self-knowledge and preferences. These experiences have shown me that my strong interest in biology, combined with my desire to improve patient outcomes, makes medicine the ideal career choice for me. Moving forward, I am committed to gaining more hands-on experience through shadowing physicians and volunteering in healthcare settings to further expand my understanding of patient care.

Looking back at my goals from a year ago, I can confidently say that I have made meaningful progress while also refining my objectives. My participation in the Life-Health Sciences Internship (LHSI) program has played a significant role in shaping my career path and enhancing my skills. Through my internship experience, I gained valuable insights into medical research, particularly in investigating the roles of ion channels in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. This work deepened my understanding of physiological mechanisms and sparked a greater interest in specialized fields such as cardiology and neurology. Additionally, my involvement in the Adenosine Effect on Mouse Myometrium project further expanded my knowledge of pharmacology and cellular responses, reinforcing my passion for scientific discovery and its impact on healthcare.

Since setting my initial goals, I have actively worked on developing key values such as responsibility, honesty, compassion, dependability, creativity, and collaboration. These values have guided me in balancing my academic, research, and leadership responsibilities, and I believe they will continue to shape my journey toward becoming a medical doctor.

Progress on Key Goals:

• MCAT Preparation: I have established a structured study plan and am on track to be fully prepared for the MCAT by late spring or early summer of my junior year.

• Clinical Experience: I have started accumulating clinical experience through volunteering and shadowing opportunities, and I am committed to reaching my goal of 100–150 hours before graduation.

• Research Involvement: I successfully contributed to multiple research projects and expanded my lab skills by learning techniques like cell culture, krebs preparation.

• Leadership Development: I have taken on additional responsibilities in campus organizations to strengthen my leadership skills and build meaningful connections with peers and mentors.

• Academic Excellence: I have remained dedicated to maintaining strong academic performance, balancing coursework with research, volunteering, and personal growth.

Updated Goals and Plans:

Moving forward, I plan to focus on the following steps to continue progressing toward my career goals:

• This Summer: I aim to secure a research internship, clinical program, or healthcare-related job to further enhance my practical experience. Additionally, I will prepare for my MCAT.

• During the Rest of My Time at IU Indianapolis: I intend to:

  • Continue expanding my clinical experience through additional shadowing and volunteering opportunities.

  • Maintain my involvement in research projects to deepen my understanding of medical science and explore potential areas of specialization.

  • Strengthen my leadership involvement by taking on greater responsibilities in student organizations.

  • Focus on improving essential non-medical skills like public speaking, time management, and cultural competence to become a well-rounded future physician.

  • Build and maintain strong connections with mentors who can guide me through the medical school application process.

  • Draft a thoughtful and compelling personal statement for my AMCAS application and finalize my list of potential medical schools.

My experiences over the past year have reinforced my commitment to becoming a medical doctor, and I am confident that these steps will continue to guide me toward achieving that goal. Each experience from research projects to mentorship has provided new insights that have shaped my understanding of what it means to excel in healthcare.

Learning Goal #1: ​Deepen Understanding of ion Channels and Their Role in Disease ​ 

How does this goal fit into your career journey or prepare you for the future?  

​​Understanding the role of ion channels in the cardiovascular and nervous systems is crucial for diagnosing and treating various medical conditions.​ Gaining a deeper understanding of these mechanisms will prepare you for research opportunities in medical school, where you can contribute to developing new treatments or interventions. 

What tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities will you do to meet this goal? 

1. ​​Conduct a review of current research on ion channels, particularly focusing on their role in cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. One of the project I will be doing is the Cell culture.​ 

2. ​​Participate in lab experiments designed to study ion channel behavior in various conditions.​ 

3. ​​Engage in the analysis of experimental data to identify patterns or abnormality in ion channel behavior.​ 

Progress: I have made meaningful progress toward this goal through my involvement in ongoing research projects. Specifically:

• Research Review: I successfully conducted a comprehensive literature review on ion channels, with a particular focus on their impact on cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. This helped me understand the broader medical significance of ion channel research and strengthened my ability to interpret scientific publications.

• Lab Work: I actively participated in cell culture experiments, learning critical techniques such as preparing media and observing cellular responses under various conditions. This hands-on experience enhanced my technical skills and increased my confidence in performing lab-based procedures.

• Data Analysis: I contributed to analyzing experimental data, particularly identifying irregularities in ion channel behavior under specific conditions. Through this, I improved my ability to interpret data trends and connect them to underlying physiological processes.

Challenges Faced:
One of the biggest challenges I encountered was understanding the complex terminology and mechanisms associated with ion channel functions. I initially struggled to grasp some of the intricate cellular pathways but overcame this by dedicating additional time to studying relevant scientific literature and asking my supervisor clarifying questions.

Next Steps:

• Continue participating in cell culture experiments to expand my understanding of experimental techniques.

• Deepen my knowledge of specific ion channel subtypes linked to cardiovascular conditions and explore their potential as therapeutic targets.

• Improve my data analysis skills by learning new software tools commonly used in medical research.

• Actively seek feedback from my supervisor to refine my techniques and enhance my understanding of experimental design.

Goal Adjustments:

I plan to expand my goal to include learning about ion channel-targeted drug development since this aligns with my growing interest in the intersection of research and clinical medicine.

Learning Goal #2: Develop Technical Skills in Biomedical Research 

How does this goal fit into your career journey or prepare you for the future?  

​​Developing technical skills in biomedical research, such as laboratory techniques and data analysis, will be essential for your success in medical school or research opportunity. These skills will open doors to various career paths, whether you choose to focus on clinical practice, research, or a combination of both in academic medicine.​ 

What tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities will you do to meet this goal? 

1. ​​Learn and practice advanced lab techniques such as patch-clamp electrophysiology, and molecular biology methods. One of the project I will be doing is Gel-electrophoresis and immunochemistry.​ 

2. ​​Take on responsibility for managing a small research project under the guidance of a mentor or my supervisor.​ 

3. ​​Work closely with other researchers, participating in lab meetings and contributing to discussions on project progress.​ 

Progress: I have made substantial progress in developing technical skills throughout my research experience. Specifically:

Lab Techniques: I have successfully learned and practiced several key lab techniques, including:

• Immunochemistry: I participated in experiments designed to visualize and identify specific proteins in cell samples, enhancing my ability to work with antibodies and staining protocols.

• Cell Culture: Although this wasn’t initially part of my goal, I had the opportunity to expand my technical knowledge by assisting with cell culture experiments, which taught me how to maintain sterile conditions, prepare media, and monitor cell growth.

Project Management: I took on responsibility for managing a small-scale research project examining the effects of adenosine on mouse myometrium. This involved conducting experiments, analyzing data, and documenting results. Managing this project improved my ability to stay organized, troubleshoot unexpected challenges, and work independently while still seeking guidance when needed.

Collaboration and Communication: I have actively participated in lab meetings, sharing my progress and contributing to discussions. This helped me improve my ability to explain research findings clearly and engage in scientific conversations with my peers and mentors.

Challenges Faced:

Complex Techniques: Learning advanced methods like immunochemistry required patience and repeated practice. Initially, I struggled with maintaining precision in pipetting during gel preparation, but consistent practice improved my accuracy.

Time Management: Balancing my research responsibilities with coursework and other commitments was initially overwhelming. To address this, I improved my time management skills by creating structured weekly plans and prioritizing tasks.

Unexpected Results: During my small research project, I encountered unexpected data trends that required further investigation. While initially frustrating, this challenge taught me the importance of troubleshooting, adjusting protocols, and remaining persistent in scientific research.

Next Steps:

Continue refining my skills in immunochemistry to improve my accuracy and efficiency in these techniques.

Collaborate more closely with senior researchers in the lab to learn advanced data analysis techniques and improve my ability to interpret experimental results.

Seek opportunities to present my research findings at upcoming poster sessions or conferences to further develop my scientific communication skills.

Goal Adjustments:

In addition to mastering technical skills, I plan to expand my goal to include improving my data visualization and analysis skills for data analysis will allow me to better interpret and present my research findings.

I also intend to explore more specialized techniques used in clinical research, such as  PCR, to broaden my skill set and better prepare for future medical research opportunities.

Learning Goal #3: ​Contribute to Ongoing Research on the Adenosine Effect on Mouse Myometrium 

How does this goal fit into your career journey or prepare you for the future?  

​​Contributing to the Adenosine Effect on Mouse Myometrium project has provided me with valuable insights into physiological processes that are highly relevant to human health. Understanding how adenosine influences uterine smooth muscle contractions has expanded my knowledge of cellular signaling pathways and pharmacological effects — both of which are important concepts in medicine. This research experience is preparing me for future opportunities in medical school, particularly in areas like obstetrics, gynecology, or pharmacology where understanding cellular responses is crucial.

What tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities will you do to meet this goal? 

1. ​​Assist in ongoing research examining the effects of adenosine on mouse myometrium.

2. ​​Participate in data collection and analysis to evaluate how adenosine influences uterine smooth muscle contraction.​ 

3. ​​Engage in analysis and other lab techniques to observe cellular responses.

Progress: I have made significant progress in contributing to the Adenosine Effect on Mouse Myometrium project through various tasks and responsibilities:

• Imaging Analysis: I participated in fluorescence imaging experiments to study how adenosine interacts with receptors in the uterine smooth muscle. This involved preparing samples, performing staining procedures, and using fluorescence microscopy to observe cellular responses. This experience helped me develop precision in sample preparation and improved my understanding of how molecular interactions can influence muscle behavior.
  
  

• Data Collection and Analysis: I contributed to gathering experimental data by measuring muscle contraction patterns in response to adenosine exposure. Through this, I gained experience in recording detailed observations and analyzing data to identify trends in uterine contraction responses. This process enhanced my ability to connect experimental outcomes to biological processes.

• Research Documentation: I assisted in compiling our experimental findings and contributed to drafting sections of a research report.

Challenges Faced:

• Inconsistent Data Patterns: One of the biggest challenges was managing unexpected variations in muscle contraction responses during experiments. Initially, I found it difficult to determine whether these inconsistencies were due to experimental errors or biological variability. I addressed this by carefully refining my experimental setup and improving my observation skills.

• Technical Learning Curve: Mastering imaging analysis was initially challenging, especially when it came to achieving consistent staining results and ensuring accurate microscope calibration. Through practice and guidance from my mentor, I improved my technique and achieved clearer, more reliable results.

Next Steps:

• Continue participating in imaging analysis experiments, focusing on improving my technique and refining data collection processes.

• Contribute more actively to analyzing experimental data to identify potential patterns in adenosine’s effect on myometrial contraction.

• Explore additional literature on adenosine’s role in smooth muscle physiology to deepen my understanding of the cellular mechanisms driving the observed effects.

Goal Adjustments:

• In addition to focusing on fluorescence analysis, I plan to expand my goal to include investigating the potential therapeutic implications of adenosine in treating uterine-related conditions.

• I also aim to improve my scientific writing skills by contributing more actively to drafting sections of our research report.