Written by Maya Legersky
As we traverse our undergrad years, we hear about people getting involved with research. At first, research seems daunting, or something only the most academically accomplished can achieve, but this is simply not true—research is a great experience for anyone who has a little patience and a lot of motivation!
I am a second year student who was lucky enough to land a research position at the beginning of the summer. I work with Professor Amy Connolly on the GENETIS (Genetically Evolving Neutrino Telescopes) group where I code (a mix of bash terminal commands, C++, and python) to aid in the creation of programs that optimize designs for telescope antennas that will detect neutrinos in Antarctica. When I first started, I had minimal knowledge of coding or even what a neutrino was beyond what I had learned through Discovery Channel documentaries on space. I was quite lost and had no idea what research even was or entailed, but my advisor provided all the training I needed, and I was able to ease into the skills necessary. Since the summer, I have taken a more active role in the group, working closely with my advisor to code the effects of birefringence into the Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) simulation that plays a crucial role in our research.
Even now, of course, I still find myself wondering “what am I doing?”, but I have learned to rely on those around me for help when I get stuck; whether it is Professor Connolly, one of the grad students I work with, or a more experienced undergrad, everyone is always more than willing to help, and I learned very quickly that in research, none of us really know what we’re doing at first. We struggle together, and it is a learning experience for everyone. Research is one of the best ways to build an invaluable skill set that cannot be obtained just through classes, even if you aren’t planning on going to grad school or furthering your education.
All in all, joining a research group was one of the best decisions I have made so far in my undergrad years; it has allowed me to build my skills in communication, working with others, problem solving, coding, and is just fun in general! Regardless of where you are in your path as a student, if research sounds interesting to you, go for it! OSU has countless opportunities aside from the SURPs and REUs that you can apply for over the summer. Go out there, find a group you’re interested in, and don’t be afraid to send multiple emails to show your interest. Remember, professors are busy and sometimes getting a response takes many emails, but keep at it, and you too can get involved in the world of research!