Genetics was the main thing that brought me to USA. I had worked in my high school Biotechnology lab and did an internship at a test tube baby center and a pathology lab. But I had not worked on a pre-designed research project in professional settings. I have always been interested in genetics because of the fascinated world it entails. This is one of those subjects which are still growing and the vast expanse of this subject could only be understood by getting involved into research. Along with this motto, I also wanted to explore research as a prospective career and this was the main reason why I wanted to get involved into some kind of research and explore it. Initially in my first semester I tried to get involved into some research projects at UC but I failed to get in any. Later in that semester I attended honor’s Biomedical Research Mentorship Program’s introductory seminar and there I knew that I have to try my best to get an opportunity through this. Later on, I attended the Meet and Greet seminar and there I met Dr. Huang who was very enthusiastic to have freshmen in his human genetics lab. I applied to about 6 labs, but Dr. Huang’s Human Genetics lab was definitely my first choice and luckily I got involved into his lab under my mentor Dr. Wang and we worked on Mitochondrial Diseases.
Throughout this research project, I focused on a number of research competencies and gave my hundred percent to achieve them to the fullest.
My experience was one of the best ways to practically apply the theories I learned in my freshmen year. It was one of the most important experiences of my college life because it helped me to realize if being a core biology scientist is something I want to do professionally. It helped me to grow my professional circle, introduced me to reading research papers and to the vast world of research. I also realized the correlation and importance of physics and chemistry in core biology experiments. These three subjects cannot be separated. The machines I worked with were based on the concepts of electro-physics and applied the concepts of biochemistry along with statistics to actually make sense out of the experiment.
This experience was an eye opener for me as it helped me to clarify my career path a little bit. I always thought that I want to be a core biologist but after this experience I think that I cannot sit in a lab to work on a research project for a day. I want a very integrating, involving and open kind of atmosphere which also involves leadership skills and communication with all sorts of professionals. I respect the job of a researcher, but I think my personality is meant for something else. I am now confident in exploring other career options and applying for some interesting internships or volunteer work.
Throughout this research project, I focused on a number of research competencies and gave my hundred percent to achieve them to the fullest.
- Ability to frame and develop the research project question or problem and formulate a theory, problem, or hypothesis for the proposed research project that is based on the literature review.
- Possess a well-developed awareness of literature in the field.
- Ability to identify and apply appropriate methodologies to design a research study, and collect and analyze data.
- Disseminate the research results and knowledge gained.
My experience was one of the best ways to practically apply the theories I learned in my freshmen year. It was one of the most important experiences of my college life because it helped me to realize if being a core biology scientist is something I want to do professionally. It helped me to grow my professional circle, introduced me to reading research papers and to the vast world of research. I also realized the correlation and importance of physics and chemistry in core biology experiments. These three subjects cannot be separated. The machines I worked with were based on the concepts of electro-physics and applied the concepts of biochemistry along with statistics to actually make sense out of the experiment.
This experience was an eye opener for me as it helped me to clarify my career path a little bit. I always thought that I want to be a core biologist but after this experience I think that I cannot sit in a lab to work on a research project for a day. I want a very integrating, involving and open kind of atmosphere which also involves leadership skills and communication with all sorts of professionals. I respect the job of a researcher, but I think my personality is meant for something else. I am now confident in exploring other career options and applying for some interesting internships or volunteer work.