• Critical Thinking

Through this research project, I strengthened my critical thinking skills by analyzing survival and hatching data from zebrafish embryos exposed to atrazine at different developmental stages. I had to interpret patterns in the data, evaluate the timing and dosage of exposure, and assess how these factors might relate to key biological processes. This required gathering information from various scientific sources, applying biological reasoning, and recognizing the importance of developmental context when making conclusions.

• Career & Self-Development

This project helped me explore and grow my career interests in toxicology and developmental biology. I identified areas where I wanted to deepen my understanding, such as gene expression and environmental toxicants, and sought feedback from my research mentor to improve my experimental design and data interpretation. I also learned the importance of connecting with professionals in the field, such as reaching out to Dr. Jennifer Freeman who is a professor in the field, to build relationships that can support my future career in science.

• Communication

Throughout the project, I practiced communicating complex scientific ideas clearly and effectively. This included preparing a research poster, summarizing data into figures, and explaining the significance of my results in writing and during presentations. I learned to tailor my communication for different audiences, whether they were my lab peers, faculty, or scientists outside my institution, and to clearly present my rationale and findings in an organized, professional way.