Workplace

My past research experience have made me learn about the importance of proper PPE, improved pipetting techniques. Using excel I make graphs and  Design and analyze experimental data using scientific methods and tools. I was a TA for two semester and that has helped e a lot with communication skills as I am never afraid to ask questions and always open to learn with strategic planning. My PI lets me do the bench work and even in his absence, he trusts me to carry on with the experiments. It will help me build critical analytical and problem-solving skills that are transferable across research disciplines, ensuring I can tackle complex medical questions in my future MD/PhD career. Mastering this content will deepen my understanding of host-pathogen interactions for future research and clinical innovation. These skills will help me get successful results along with healthy relationship with my mentor and Lab people. This will work closely with my mentor to gain insights into the complexities of pathogen-host interactions. I will engage in research projects that explore microbiota’s role in immune responses by reviewing relevant scientific literature and attend seminars to broaden my knowledge

Contribution and Role as a Team Member

In Fall, my contribution has been quite different. Last semester, I basically did bench work with a lot of help from everyone. But this semester, I've been able to do my work independently most of the time, with help from Dr. Ayana and Elizabeth. They taught me some very important lab techniques like 16srRNA sequencing, and ELISA. With their guidance, I was able to conduct these experiments by myself and even get credit for the data collected. Although my contribution may seem straightforward or mundane, it is indeed essential to the project overall. The data that I am collecting is enabling the team to understand the role of the microbiome in immune reactions in parasitic infection. This research is important because it could potentially make treatments for individuals affected by these diseases more effective. My contribution, no matter how small, to the project is important. Every experiment that I run gives us valuable data that gets us closer to finding better treatments. The more my role has grown, the more I understand that even the smallest input counts because all data count. Working individually also taught me that the significance lies in working collectively where everyone collectively contributes and supports each other towards achieving the ultimate goal.

Successes and Challenges

Successes

I've experienced a number of successes that have gone on to contribute to my knowledge and help further shape me. Among them one of the most notable ones was where I facilitated the group discussion in a new research article we were discussing regarding gut microbiome functions in immune responses to parasitic infection. I was a bit reluctant at first to facilitate the discussion, but I waited until I had read the paper and understood it thoroughly, made notes on things to discuss, and left space for feedback. The session went well, and people complimented me on how to structure the discussion and make complex things simple. This experience enhanced leadership and communication abilities—both of which will prove useful to my future academic and professional life, particularly research and academics. One recent success was when I applied statistical methods that I had learned to analyze a set of microbiome data and found that there was a robust association between certain species of bacteria and immune response markers. This was a real accomplishment on my part since it entailed using very sophisticated statistical abilities, something that I had initially performed poorly in. Besides the accomplishment contributing to my technical expertise, it also reaffirmed my passion for the fact that such processes are significant in delivering meaningful results that can be utilized to impact treatment procedures. This experience reiterated the importance of persistence and determination, two of the greatest ingredients to success in the workplace and in school. These experiences have shown me that persistence, preparation, and communication are all important ingredients to professional and academic success. They've shown me that if I approach problems with the right attitude, I can get through obstacles, learn technical skills, and be a good teammate. These teachings will be of value to me as I proceed to further develop my career in infectious diseases and women's health.

Challenges

While there are challenges, the most difficult problem that I faced was juggling my time among my internship, school, and working part-time. With looming deadlines, I was frustrated and was unable to plan ahead. Nevertheless, support from my internship team has been extremely helpful. When I informed my mentor that I was burned out, they gave me actual advice on time management and suggested the use of project management tool such as Trello to track deadlines and tasks. They also suggested that I actually speak up when I needed more time or assistance. My team also helped me to create my data analysis strategy when I was getting bogged down on some statistical approaches. Instead of providing me with the solutions, they encouraged me to take responsibility for the problem-solving process and guided me through tools and exercises that enabled me to grow my skills. This made me realize that adversity provides a chance to learn and that the best response to having survived them is asking for help and being willing to learn. The biggest lesson that I have learned from all these adversity is the need to manage time as well as asking for help when one needs it. These two have also made me bolder as far as getting through my work and studies is concerned. I will institute better time-blocking procedures and attend workshops or get support from peers in an effort to continue to better myself and balance my workload in the future. I have learned through these experiences that success is never a straight line, but with the right tools and training, obstacles can be overcome and resilience and flexibility can be gained—essential skills for my future career in infectious disease and women's health.