Summer undergraduate research fellowship
(CCHMC SURF) - 2018
In the summer of 2018, between my first and second years, I was fortunate to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). I continued my work from my previous experience in RAMP (see my honors experience page from year 1 for more information) in the Lewkowich lab under the mentorship of Dr. Jaclyn McAlees. However, as this program was full-time, about 35-40 hours a week, I was able to learn even more skills and participate in many different experiments. My main job over the summer was RNA expression analysis and I became very familiar with the processes of RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and data analysis. In addition, I also had the chance to take over my own project! This project was a repetition of a previous study done in the lab and it focused on studying the effects of paternal allergen exposure on the development of allergic asthma in offspring. I learned the basics of mouse model research, how to inject mice, and how to organize and track breedings. At the end of the summer, I presented my research at the SURF Capstone Presentation. A picture of myself and my poster is included below because it shows not only the work I did over the summer, but also what I learned about communicating in a scientific setting. Through this experience, I gained much more confidence and independence in the lab, as well as speaking and presenting skills.