Week 4 News

Nubia, Project 1

1. The most exciting part of my group’s research has been watching our cells grow and maintain, and I’ve also really enjoyed working in the hoods.

2. I’m grateful for all the people I’ve socialized with in this cluster–who I got really close and became friends with.

3. We love all the work you put into our project, making sure that it goes well. We love you Gaya!!

Ansh, Project 2

1. It was exciting to see how the different membranes–that we’ve been working with over the course of the project–started to secrete hyaluronic acid and PRG-4 at different times of stretching. Yesterday, we finally got to see how the tissues would act if they got stretched dynamically.. It was pretty cool!

2. I think I’m pretty grateful that this cluster is full of a bunch of nice and supportive people. Everyone is really funny and kinda freaky sometimes!

3. Albert, if you are reading this, I just wanted to let you know that you were the best group 2 papa and your children will miss you, and we really think that you should sleep more and help us with our college apps. Thank you, Albert!!

Shrika, Project 3

1. The most exciting part of our research was probably observing our cells. It’s really exciting to just see them under the microscope, and it feels like our little COSMOS babies.

2. I’m really grateful for my friends here and also our professors–because I feel like I learned so much from them, and we’re always in a discussion sharing intellectual knowledge.

3. You’re doing great, Ava! WE LOVE YOU!!

Krishay, Project 4

1. I think the most exciting part of our research was seeing how cells are under the microscope and using these cells we’ve cultured ourselves in the lab experiments. I think that was a really cool part of the entire research process.

2. This cluster, I’m really grateful for the bonds that we’ve made. I’m really happy that we’ve made good friendships all throughout the cluster.

3. I would like to thank Sophie because she’s low-key been a GOAT. She asked us if we wanted any food from Target, she was down to get us matcha.. So the message I’d like to leave is: thank you so much for putting in the hours for us up till 2AM, to help us prepare with our labwork. Shout-out to Sophie!

Richard, Project 5

1. We haven’t really done anything yet, but today we’re going into the actual lab and working with sterile technique. I’m looking forward to making the cell suspension and hydrogels.

2. Before I came here, I never really got lab experience, so I’m grateful to have gotten some here. And also, I’m grateful for the people that I’ve met!

3. In general, we appreciate the effort that they’ve put into our cluster, often working over time to ensure our progress is smooth–since I know that they work outside their required hours as well. Also, Zach needs to lay off ChatGPT!

Manali, Project 1

1.  Personally, I’m most worried about the amount of time that we have–because we have until next Friday to fully prepare and complete our slideshow, ready to present.

2. I’m really excited to present! As for things to touch up on, definitely work on our slideshow specifically, because I know that Gaya has been helping us collect data and do all the research needed, but we need to compile all of them together into a visual presentation.

3. Continue being passionate! I think that they’re all amazing people who’re very determined to complete this project.

Abby, Project 2

1. I’m a little worried about meeting with Dr. Sah–because I know he’s a really good professor, but he can be pretty specific about certain points. I hope it goes well!

2. I’m really excited since we worked so hard on the project. There’s a lot of things we need to touch up on, because we’re still in our experimental stage at this point of time.

3. Great job everyone! It’s been so fun to work on this project with you all and getting to know each other better. Go team 2!

Amy, Project 3

1. Being unable to finish 6 assays next Monday… And also the meeting with dr. Sah… And not having enough time to do the slides well.

2. 6/10. I am excited to present our group’s findings, but I am also worried that there's not enough time to prepare a good presentation.

3. Thank you for being hardworking & supportive teammates🥹

Lizzy, Project 4

1. I think I’m most worried about finishing on time and having everything polished, because we have so many experiments to do and so much to accomplish.

2. I’m actually pretty excited. I like presenting a lot and I like talking and explaining things! In terms of touching up, of course finishing everything. In terms of presentation, definitely the slides. Right now we’ve been mostly focused on content instead of making it look pretty, so we’ll work to make it look nice!

3. Thank you for all your hard work and for being the best team I could ever ask for!

Nate, Project 5

1. I’m worried about just all of our cells dying.. which would be pretty bad.

2. I’d say I’m pretty excited–we got a good team here! We need to touch up on the way we’re going to present it, but I'm confident in our skills and our ability to communicate.

3. We got this, and it’s going to be easy. We’re probably the best group here!

Junior, Project 1

1. My favorite memory has to be going into the hoods, just because it is a rare experience. It takes a long time, but it’s still really fun to do with your lab-mates.

2. Teamwork really does make a difference, because by yourself you can’t get much done–not in the hoods, not in the labs, not in the lectures–but when you have 5-6 people with a lot of teachers behind you, you can get stuff quickly.

3. I’ll make you proud Dr. Sah, and get that solution done in a couple years!

Asa, Project 2

1. It has to be any time we do a lab, when we get to goof off but also feel like we’re real scientists and have a lot of fun.

2. How to adapt. How to adapt, and how to pivot when things go wrong, definitely.

3. Just thank you, and although we don’t know what you’re talking about most of the times, we learned a lot either way! Thank you!!

Sencer, Project 3

1. My favorite memory is probably working in the lab–specifically in the hood–and connecting it to the experiments and assays we’ve done. Also, looking at our results through the microscope because it’s cool to see hard work pay off at the end!

2. Perseverance, because a lot of times, things go wrong in the lab; for example, it has to be really sanitized in the hood and sometimes we have to re-do a lot of things when equipment gets contaminated. A lot of times, you need to have perseverance, and just keep going.

3. I just want to thank them for going through with this and teaching high school students. I know they’re college professors, so it’s really cool that they took time out of their day to teach high schoolers about tissue engineering & regenerative medicine.

Christine, Project 4

1. The first one is working in the hoods–I think it’s really really interesting because I never got to do that previously. And the second one is being with each other wherever we go–I feel like we really bonded together over these 4 weeks.

2. I think one value that I’ve learned throughout the last project is teamwork because this is a big project and it requires everyone to put in their best effort. Compared to a school project, this one’s much more difficult and has a greater time restraint. This week, I really learned a lot about teamwork and how to distribute the work so that everyone can put the fullest in their own parts.

3. Dr. Gaetani, I really hope you recover from COVID soon! And Dr. Sah, thank you so much for leading the projects. I know high schoolers don’t have much expertise, but you still had the patience to try to teach–and that’s very memorable to me.

Catherine, Project 5

1. There are a lot of good ones, but one of my favorite things that really helped us to get to know each other was the COSMOLYMPICS skit. We should’ve won–it was rigged!

2. One value I’ve gained through this project is flexibility, because there’s a lot of moving parts and a lot of different project groups that need to use the same equipment at the same time. You really need to learn how to compromise!

3. I want to say thank you for believing we can do all of this. I think that your faith really helped push us to do more than what we believed to accomplish.

Gaya, Project 5

1. Hi everyone! I genuinely had the best time of my life spending time and working with all of you. Even when we were going through stressful times, being able to see your cute smiles and talk to all of you made everything worth it. You all made us so proud and I know that you all are going to achieve incredible things in the future. Thank you all for being so understanding and hard working, and shoutout to my lab rats for being the cutest. Always feel free to reach out, whether it be for college apps or anything in your future. Stay perfect forever for us and please keep in touch.

Albert, Project 2

1. It has been one of the greatest joys of my summer to get to know all of you! In spite of the long hours and stressful experiments, your curiosity and positivity was truly an inspiration to all of the CA's, and seeing the joy on your faces when we finished something really made it all worth it. You are all such genuine, amazing, intelligent students and I wish you nothing but the best. Continue being the great people you are and do great things. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Ava, Project 3

1. I am so proud of all the hard work you guys have put into this program. It has been amazing to see your passion for science, kindness, and all the love you have for each other. Getting to know all of the CC8 students has genuinely been my favorite part of this program. It has been incredibly rewarding to see your growth, and I cannot wait to see all of the amazing things you guys do in your future. Special shoutout to Team 3--thank you Amy, Shrika, Sencer, Jiwon, and Katelyn for being the best team I could've asked for. I'm gonna miss you all so much. Have an amazing senior year!

Sophie, Project 4

1. I am so proud of every one of ya'll!! These past two weeks have been incredibly hectic but exciting, and it has been so rewarding observing all the growth that is being achieved in the lab. Being your cluster assistant has been so rewarding and it makes every day of work worth it. Thank you for being the sweetest, smartest, and funniest group of students ever. Also shoutout to Team 4 (the best team, no bias--love you guys <3) for embodying such amaraderie and bringing immense joy into each day. I'll miss you guys so much! Thanks for being the best sons I could've ever asked for.

Zach, Project 5

1. Hi everyone, it has been great working with you all and I am really impressed with the amount of time and effort you have dedicated to the program in the last 4 weeks. It was really fun to interact with all of you and I am honored to be a part of your journey in learning about tissue engineering. I want to give a special shoutout to Team 5 for always remaining positive and making this experience more fun and enjoyable.

Olivia, Project 5

1. It's been a pleasure spending the past month with you guys. I admire your passion for science, which combined with your work ethic I'm sure will take you far. I would like to thank the members of Team 5--Catherine, Paola, Justin, Richard, and Nate--for being the funniest and most patient students. Best of luck, and I can't wait to see what you all do in the future!