Wells College

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Computational Biochemistry

July 2020 • Aurora, NY

What I liked

I like everything about the research project. Working in the lab with enzyme and yeast was exciting. The goal of the research was to investigate how mutations in the Succinyl-CoA synthetase are detrimental to mitochondrial function and how these mutations lead to Leigh Syndrome. Mitochondria have many functions within a cell, with the most widely known function being energy production. Mutations in mitochondrial proteins have detrimental effects on energy-demanding tissues, like the heart and brain, and can give rise to multiple conditions, including Leigh Syndrome. To date mutations in about eight different proteins have been associated with the development of Leigh Syndrome. Children with Leigh Syndrome present initially with febrile illness or an infection that is difficult to control. Pharmacological agents used to treat this disease are only in the initial phases of drug trials and dietary interventions are not targeted to treat specific mitochondrial dysfunctions.

What I wish was different

What I wish had been different is the timing of the start of the research. The research is exciting and resourceful so not having the opportunity to work in the lab at the start of the summer was not okay. I think the restriction was due to the global pandemic COVID-19. Lastly, I wish I had the opportunity to intern out of campus this summer, however; the experience is still worthy.

Advice

Research becomes fun if you like it or have a clear career path. Research in itself is stressful especially research in medicine or any STEM career. If you don't love to spend hours in labs searching for the unknown, research isn't for you. Research in biomedical engineering, biophysics, computational biochemistry is worth going for. I will advise anyone that has a passion for medicine, engineering, and imaging like I do to invest the time into this research.

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Elementary School Teacher Intern

May - June 2019 • Huntington Park, CA

What I liked

I enjoyed working with kids from the same elementary school that I attended and teaching them new skills in art.

What I wish was different

I wish the school had more art supplies for me to provide the students with. Also, because I wanted to introduce the students to a diverse set of materials and art methods from different cultures but I couldn't because of the lack of funding this school has for the arts.

Advice

Art can still be made even with a limited amount of materials or time. Students can still be taught important skill practices and cultural relevance as long as I work with what I have rather than what I don't have.

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Paint crew

May - August 2018 • Aurora, NY

What I liked

I enjoyed the work and my coworkers.

What I wish was different

There is nothing I would change.

Advice

Painting is hard work, but I think everyone should have a job once in their life. It gave me perspective on what I want my future to be and I want other people to experience it.

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