1. During my project, I interned in a cancer research lab within the OSU College of Pharmacy. My primary role was as an undergraduate research assistant. I performed tasks such as genotyping mice and western blotting.
2. I went into the internship with lots of self-doubt. Not only was the research being conducted in the lab very important and impactful, it was also incredibly confusing to me. At the time, I had not yet taken any microbiology or molecular genetics classes and I felt way out of my comfort zone. When the PI explained tasks to me I was unable to understand much of the terminology and I often questioned whether I was qualified to be in the position. As time went on, I began to get more comfortable with the staff in the lab and the procedures. It took many weeks before I could perform simple tasks like genotyping by myself. However, as I learned and grew, I gained tons of confidence and realized that just because something seems overwhelming and confusing doesn’t mean that with time I cannot understand it. Eventually, I was genotyping up to 20 mice at a time with little to no error or contamination. This theme of feeling like an imposter was crucial to my understanding of my feelings toward my future as I work towards a future in the medical field.
3. When I first entered the lab, I knew no one. I felt isolated and like an idiot in a room full of geniuses. Eventually, I met a grad student named Jack. He worked hands-on with me to help me understand the mechanics behind my genotyping. When I first learned the procedure, I focused on just replicating what my PI had shown me as closely as possible, even though I didn’t understand why I was doing certain things. Jack helped me learn exactly what was happening on a molecular level during parts like PCR. Over time, things made more and more sense and I gained a ton of confidence in my skill set. Having someone who was a relatable and similar age to me also helped me feel much more accepted. He also expressed how everyone constantly feels in over their head in the research field and you will never understand everything.

Not only did I know next to nothing about the research I was doing, I also had little understanding of the field of research itself. My PI was very friendly and worked with me at a slow pace. I was nervous at first asking questions about the structure of the lab and administration and sounding dumb. Regardless, my PI still answered my questions with respect and gave me invaluable insight into the field of research. She explained the structure of the lab as well as her responsibilities of reporting to the head of the lab and how the lab garnered funds. She also explained her background and how she got to the position she is at now. Even though I want to go to medical school, not pharmacy school, the requirements are similar and I gained a lot of insight into activities I should participate in to gain experience and get to where I want.

Eventually, I was listed as a contributor on a publication. This process made me aware of how intense research is in the medical field and how many checks one must go through. I gained a massive application for the process and it helped me understand how all foundations of science, no matter how accepted and simple they may seem now, went through an extremely intense process of reviews and trials to get to where it is now. This contributed to me wanting to be more thorough in all aspects of my life and school work. To be a successful doctor, you must be methodical and hypervigilant at all times, just like the researchers I met.

4. This experience has been super valuable. Not only did I gain tons of knowledge about genetics and biology, but I also gained experience that will be invaluable in my journey to becoming a doctor. Research is a critical aspect of applying to medical school and now I have an entire year of experience in a well-respected lab. Also, I got a publication that will aid my application and show my commitment to the lab. The most valuable part of this experience, however, is the connections I made. The PI and other grad students were so friendly and nice to get to know. They taught me so much about the field and I am very grateful. The PI of the lab is writing me a letter of recommendation which will go a long way in helping me enter medical school.