1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project.

The Ohio Air Mobility Symposium is a two day conference style event that takes place in the spring semester, bringing together academia, industry, and policy makers to discuss Advanced Air Mobility. As part of my role as the Director of the Symposium, planning for the event began in the summer of 2024. This included creation of an event schedule, selection of a venue, meetings with stakeholders, and creation of a budget for the event.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project?

Through my experience in my STEP Signature Project, I was able to see firsthand just how much of an impact networking and networking events can have on the development of a career. Going through college, common advice is to network as much as possible and take advantage of the difference events offered. However, that means very little to a student like me who is extremely busy with class and paying for school. After my experience, though, I can certainly say that my priorities have changed. I now see that networking is a gateway, that if leveraged properly, can get you into places you would never have thought possible.

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you?

The lesson in #2 was learned through a few different avenues. These include advisory meetings, meetings with Directors of different centers of research at OSU, and meetings with industry stakeholders, most notably JobsOhio.

Advisory meetings were held biweekly throughout the summer with my project consultant, Ethan Rivera from the Battelle Center in the John Glenn College of Publics Affairs. My minor, Science and Engineering in the Public Interest is held through the college, so I already had some familiarity with the Center. However, constantly throughout the summer, Ethan helped me to identify different people to reach out to, as well as what to discuss at those meetings. As a rule, I recognize that I do not have the answers to every problem I face in my professional life, so being able to consult someone else on how to approach those more knowledgeable than myself was extremely helpful and educational.

As for the meetings with Directors of Centers of Research, they are considered as stakeholders in the event, and while they serve an advisory role, are not considered an advisor in the student information system at OSU. The main two centers I met with were Center of Automotive Research (CAR) and Center of Aviation Studies (CAS). While the project is over, the event itself is still being planned, so I am seeking to meet with the Aerospace Research Center as well. Both CAR and CAS helped me to consider things I otherwise would not have when planning the event, aided with questions prepared with Ethan. Again, the value of networking and meeting with others was proven to me again.

Finally, meetings with industry stakeholders were particularly enlightening as it relates to networking. In the history of the Symposium, it has often been that our best speakers were gotten through the utilization of connections. These meetings were similar, as I was able to gain insights into how to have a better event and how industry folk think. Moreover, I was able to make the connections with industry for my own benefit, as now I can have a network of people in different industry positions to leverage in the future.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life?

As noted in #3, the most valuable contribution of the project was the formation of a network beyond the college setting. Obviously, all my peers and professors are connections I can leverage in the future. However, through my signature project, I was afforded the opportunity to spend an entire summer focusing on expanding my network, both for the benefit of the project itself and for my future career. Beyond that, I can use these connections to help others in my life as well, something that is on my mind as I seek to use my role to create more a of a community around Advanced Air Mobility.

Here is a picture of me after a meeting at the Battelle Center (quite a few of the other meetings were virtual and that would not make for a good picture). Enjoy.

1. Over the Summer of 2024 I attended Mason Anthony’s School of Cosmetology at night in order to become a licensed nail technician. I learned the fundamentals of product chemistry, nail anatomy, and business operations as well as had hands-on experience working on clients in the school salon.
2. I always struggled to find the balance between work and my creative outlets. Prior to completing the manicuring program I had a rigid view of my future. I was always under the assumption that I would work a typical corporate job with traditional hours. This experience opened my eyes to other opportunities to make a living.
3. In general, I think that interacting with people is the best way to expand perspective and this was true of my experience as I went through the manicuring program over the summer. I started the program not knowing what to expect on all fronts. The book work and client work while the most important for my license was part of what I expected to learn from my time in the course. But what changed my perspective the most and had the most impact on what I want for my future was the people I met over the duration of the program. My classmates helped me gain confidence in my choice to pursue a non-traditional education. I got to know about a dozen different classmates over the course of the three months I was in this course and all of them taught me something different. Since all of us came to the program for different reasons we had a lot of different perspectives to offer each other. In particular I had two classmates who came from established careers in the medical field for a change of pace. This was particularly impactful for me because I have been pursuing a degree in health sciences and liked to see that it was possible to be successful in their fields while pursuing their creative passions.My instructors also instilled confidence in my ability to be successful in a creative field. I had three primary instructors who also all had different and unique perspectives on the cosmetology field. They all came to success in the business in different ways and still find time to run their own business while teaching. Both my instructors and fellow students taught me that each of our paths are going to look different and whatever path we choose can lead to success. There is not a one size fits all approach to a career and that was very reassuring to me.
4. This change to my perspective is valuable to my life because it has tamed some of my worries about my future. I have always been the type of person who has had years of my life planned out with certainty. That changed a lot over the course of my last three years of college which led to me being very uncertain about my future. I felt confined to a future career without expression and I did not realize how scary that was for me. Over the course of this program my professional goals shifted completely. My experience showed me that I do not have to compromise creativity for a career.

1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed. 

My STEP project was obtaining my Student Pilot License. To do so, I completed Gold Seal Ground School and went on my discovery flight with AVIT at Wadsworth Municipal Airport. In total, I accrued 14.6 flight hours before the summer ended.

2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place. 

The infatuation with flight and love of airplanes I developed as a child has always been the driving force behind my goal of becoming an aerospace engineer. This passion led to learning as much as I could about the engineering process and the technical side behind how aircraft work. The most transformative part of the STEP project for me was experiencing all of the concepts I have learned about flight first hand. I assumed that I had a good understanding of flight characteristics, stability and control systems because of how much time I spent studying them. This experience taught me how much actual flying a plane could increase the concepts I read in books from my first flight. Instead of just grasping concepts and understanding numbers on a page, this hands-on experience provided a level of insight that would not have been possible without it. Feeling how the aircraft reacts to certain flight conditions helped me understand how certain design choices lead to specific flight characteristics.  I had planned on continuing into a PHD program but this experience has shifted my focus from academics and research to practical applications. 

Trying to balance the priorities of school, work and a social life has always been something I have struggled with. This project also forced me to work on my time management and adaptability skills. It is very competitive to get flying hours. I had to plan weeks or months in advance in order to have a schedule that accommodated these flights around a forty hour a week internship while taking summer classes.  Many times I had to adjust my calendar  around canceled flights, school assignments and working overtime. I know I will be more prepared to balance  classes, clubs and research this year because of the experience I gained from STEP. 

3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation. 

The discovery flight at AVIT was the first and most transformational event that took place. The discovery flight is the first flight you take at a flight academy. I spent weeks studying material and passing tests to make my way through ground school. It was interesting but not much different than any other class. It is hard to describe the way I felt walking up to that small Cessna 172N. The closest thing I can compare it to, is the combined fear and excitement you get driving a car for the first time, but on steroids. The plane was much smaller and way louder than I expected. No amount of reading can fully prepare you for something more than actually doing it yourself, and this experience gave me that chance. The .09 hours in my logbook might not look like much, but taught me more than all the hours of studying combined. Most importantly I discovered that this was something I really wanted to do and was committed to finishing. 

My flight instructor also played an important roll in the process. His insightful life experiences brought a wealth of knowledge to every lesson. The way he always came prepared made me more confident every time I got the controls. Flying isn’t easy – there are a lot of gauges to check constantly, as well as having to watch out for other planes or birds. No matter how uncomfortable I was taking off or landing he always remained calm. Staying calm under pressure is always important and this STEP project allowed me plenty of opportunities to develop this important life skill. It is also something I have been able to implement in other areas of my life which is very helpful during exams or when my schedule gets hectic. His constant emphasis on safety is something that will influence my future work as an aerospace engineer. Maintaining and improving safety standards while flying is something I want to work on.

The relationships I have made during this project will be lasting. I have a friend from high school I hadn’t seen in years. After he found out I was getting my pilot license, he reached out and I learned he was taking lessons at the same place! He told me he was about to get his flight instructor’s license and in the future when I try to get more hours, he told me he would be more than happy to be my CFI. Not only did this experience give us something to bond over, it will allow me to regularly see a friend I wouldn’t have. I have also made new friends because of flying. Being an aerospace engineer, it only makes sense that other students in my classes are also interested in flying. They have been very encouraging and supportive, giving me pointers or tips after every flight I have. These friendships have been extremely helpful for my academics. We study together for every midterm and I now have them on class projects. Meeting other engineers with similar interests doesn’t stop at Ohio State. This past summer I worked an internship near Dayton. Here, I met another engineer who was working on his pilot license. Having a pilot license has been a great way for me to meet people with similar interests, and given me a chance to grow as a person.

4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.

This transformation I have experienced from this project has been significant both for my academic and professional journeys, as it has bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and real world experiences. Obtaining my Student Pilot License has not only enhanced my understanding of aerodynamics, but given me a practical understanding of how the designing phase directly affects flight characteristics. This experience has also pointed me in a direction to pursue after graduating from Ohio State. As I graduate, my goal as an engineer is to design safe and innovative aircraft that bring the world closer together.

On a personal level, I have developed my time management skills as well as my ability to remain calm in high pressure situations. These qualities will help me enhance my adaptability and resilience as a person and employee. This experience would have never been possible without STEP and I am grateful as it has shaped me into a more well-rounded individual and equipped me with the knowledge to solve practical problems.

1.

My STEP Signature Project entailed a weeklong seminar “Ferns & Lycophytes: Identification, Biology, and Natural History” held by the Eagle Hill Institute in Steuben, Maine taught by fern experts and researchers Dr. Robbin Moran, Dr. Alejandra Vasco, and Dr. Weston Testo. The course involved morning lectures on species of interest with supplemental herbarium specimens followed by an afternoon field trip to various habitat types along the eastern coast of Maine to find and collect specimens for lab examination. The program supported a community of students and professionals while emphasizing learning the history, phylogenetics, biogeography, and ethnobotanical uses of ferns and lycophytes.

2.

The STEP Signature Project I participated in was a deeply informative experience that has changed the way I view my path in life as a professional in realm of evolution, ecology, and organismal biology. Simply the act of travelling to a new set of ecosystems in the coastal and freshwater forests of Maine to learn the interactions of native plants opened my perspective of the environments across the U.S. and contributed to my ideas of where I would like to be as I continue with academia and a career. I found that I was able to forge a place for myself in the world of botanical sciences, creating hope for my future while interacting and learning from professionals. I was able to gain confidence in my ability to pick up information quickly and integrate my previous knowledge of ecology and evolution to create a wholistic view of the plants, ecosystems, and communities around me. The course curated a love of the innerworkings and history of organisms often considered ‘primitive’, when their modes of life being so different from our own hold a beauty like no other. Meeting those who foster that appreciation and share it within a community was eye-opening as to what I can be a part of. Having positive interactions with those both within and outside of academia aided in my confidence to build networks with new people. I found pride in being productive in my learning and physical capabilities during recreational walks and hiking during field trips. Hearing from the experiences of others furthered my view of the world and how people found their places within it. The life histories and history of botany integrated into the course brought about a wholistic perspective of the way organisms change with time and how humans have interacted with them. I will surely carry the knowledge and experience from this course as I continue in my academic pursuits and personal life.

3.

Taking part in a seminar at Eagle Hill introduced me to new experiences and knowledge that has been impactful to my outlook on the world around me and my future within it. Spending a week with people at varying stages of their adult lives allowed for significant introspection on the path of my own life. A level of camaraderie was established throughout lectures, field trips, and mealtimes. One thing I will take away from this experience is how impactful having three meals a day with the same group of people for a week is, learning who they are and having discussions from botanical nomenclature to a favorite recipe. Talking to graduate students about their application process, researchers about their field expeditions, or naturalists about their community engagement filled rooms with conversation. I was able to glimpse into different perspectives and contexts of others’ lives that brought them to the same place as myself to learn about the same incredible organisms.

The layout of the workshop itself required independence and navigational skills involved with travel. Having to coordinate connecting flights and transportation to and from the airport fostered a great deal of confidence in my ability to navigate unfamiliar areas. I was met with a challenge when the taxi I had booked did not show up, and I had to coordinate with other taxi drivers at the airport to secure a ride to the institute in time. Having delayed flights on the return trip had its own set of difficulties and new experiences for me. Navigating these circumstances brought about a confidence in myself to handle what life throws at me in logistical situations, knowing that I can now handle them even when alone.

Each day of the course incorporated field trips throughout the habitats of eastern coastal Maine. I felt that I was able to attain a deeper understanding of the ecosystems surrounding myself and what role ferns and lycophytes played within them. Being integrated into an environment with the context of a community of professionals led to learning beyond the scopes of the workshop. Personal stories about the plants surrounding us were an important part of my learning, especially as I was showed new species to recognize and love. Seeing plants in their habitats and in conjunction with their ecological function is always influential to my perspective of the world, grounding my knowledge and bringing it out of a textbook or lab and into the tangible world.

One of if not the most influential aspect of this course involved the interaction and learning from the subject organisms themselves. I am sure I will carry the knowledge of the course instructors that was transferred to us students for years to come as I continue to interact with ferns and their relatives in the botanical world. One cannot understate the impact of the plants themselves as teachers. Learning who they are, their interactions, and where they reside by finding them in the wild aids in recognition of not only their identity but also their importance in an ecosystem. Viewing real time ecological interactions such as the fern shelters built by moths at the tips of fronds or habitat specificity is, to me, invaluable in the teachings of the natural world. Each experience I have learning from people who have been in touch with ecosystem and evolutionary sciences in the context of botany has been life changing as I am encouraged to pursue my passions for science and relationships with plants.

The lessons, skills, and experiences gained from the ferns and lycophytes seminar at Eagle Hill Institute will no doubt be influential in both my academic career and my personal life as I continue engaging with my passions for nature and science. The participants in the course, both students and instructors, readily gave advice regarding their own paths and how I can best forge my future based on what I desire. I had the opportunity to meet graduate students, faculty researchers, and even professionals working in botanical gardens that offered realistic views of what the process of beginning graduate school or a career is like and how I can prepare. I learned what projects students were working on and what was entailed in their fieldwork, how to prepare for testing in graduate school, and information about research in the botanical world. The information and first-person testimonies I was told will inform my advances in academia and my career that I hope to aim towards botany. I was instilled with confidence and reignited passion to continue with my goals, encouraged to do research, and given the contacts and advice to do so, of which I am beyond grateful.

My experience at Eagle Hill Institute has shaped who I am and who I wish to become. During my time in college, I have found a deep passion not only for the natural world and its evolution, but also plants and their rich evolution, history, and ecology. From the moment we began instruction I was enamored with the material both in the lab as we looked at microscopic spores bursting from antheridia and working in the field, identifying the aquatic Isoetes found in a river. Taking this course undoubtedly deepened my knowledge and excitement to be involved in the field whether I continue my path with an academic pursuit or personal engagement. Regardless of my choices, I have knowledge gleaned from this course to take with me, with something as simple as a walk in the woods I will find comfort in the plants I recognize along the way thanks to this experience.

For my STEP signature project, I decided to do a 3-week phlebotomy certification course. Throughout this course, I learned how to perform venipuncture on both the arms and hands, order of drawing for blood draws, infection control in hospitals and labs, and medical terminology as well anatomy. On the last two days of the course, I took a practical exam where I had to demonstrate my skills of drawing blood on two volunteers and the written national exam.  

Completing this course was a transformative experience that reshaped my understanding of healthcare and my role within it. Throughout the course, we had to draw each other’s blood, and I had to draw my own blood. I felt more empathy towards others, especially people around me. Empathy and communication with people in healthcare are important to show towards people I’ll encounter in my future career which is to become a doctor. I realized that interacting with patients and providing comfort was critical in this field. At first, I assumed that the technical skills required for phlebotomy would be the most challenging aspect of the course which I quickly learned on blood drawing day that both are equally important. This course taught me how to work better with people and understand that everyone’s situations are different than my own perspective. I gained more confidence and compassion for others as well as self-awareness for others I will encounter. 

One of the most significant events was on the second day of class when we had to start drawing blood on each other for class and had to draw each other. I remember feeling very scared and nervous since I was the first person who was picked to draw blood. I could tell that my partner was a bit scared and nervous as well, but I took control and was reassuring him. This was a key moment for me that showed my empathy and communication. It showed that in the healthcare field, I can show these aspects to my future patients and make their experience better for them. 

Another aspect of this course that was significant was my instructor and the relationship she developed with not only me but my other classmates. My instructor has been a phlebotomist for over 30 years, and she was constantly sharing her experiences, perspectives, and important knowledge for us to know. She encouraged us to practice on each other and be confident in what we’re doing. She was very supportive and always gave the best advice to help me succeed. She gave me the mindset to be open to learning more and being open to more experiences.  

Lastly, the overall curriculum and the course from mastering the technical skills to the practical skills were very important and led me to really zone into my interest in healthcare. It helped me confirm that a career in healthcare is for me and that helping people and being in their environment is meant for me. I’m capable of helping patients by showing them the care they need. I’m very confident that I can succeed in the healthcare environment after taking this course.

This transformation is significant and valuable in my life because of my future career path.Being a medical doctor means you must be open to all your patients and understand that they’re human and they’re here for a reason. This is life changing since it has confirmed that I really want a career in healthcare. I have gained a new sense of empathy and better communication which has changed my life, and I can use it throughout my life.

For my STEP signature project, I worked with Dr. Castro and other students in the Nanoengineering and Biodesign lab to restart the OhioMOD student biomolecular design team at Ohio State University, a student organization that dissolved almost five years ago because of the pandemic. We recruited a team of eight undergraduate students, and with the help of our two graduate advisors and Dr. Castro, we completed a summer research project in the Nanoengineering and Biodesign lab. We designed, folded, and polymerized a 3-arm reconfigurable structure made from DNA. Our goal is to compete in the 2024 BioMOD Jamboree held in Japan.

Going into this summer, I wanted to give undergraduate students a chance to experience laboratory work, and what research as an engineer looks like. Before this project, I had become comfortable performing experiments guided by an advisor. I had never had to design a project from the start or lead a team of researchers. I gained a lot of confidence in my knowledge of the field of DNA origami and became more comfortable making suggestions and presenting new ideas. By taking a step back from in-lab work, I was able to practice thinking critically about applications of our structure and what experiments would allow it to perform its function.

I also gained experience on the financial side of research during this project. I had to recruit members to perform experiments and help design project deliverables. With the competition being overseas, I had to gain enough financial support for travel and registration fees. I had very little experience in these areas coming into this project, but with the help of my graduate research advisors and the team, we were able to get great experimental results to base these deliverables on and enough support to travel to Japan.

Before this project, I was hesitant to make suggestions on other research projects, and I rarely made decisions on the projects I was on without asking an advisor. I did not have confidence in my understanding of DNA origami, and I assumed other members of my lab would think of the same things I did. While coming up with applications of our structure and designing our research project, I talked to a lot of people about possibilities and read a lot of papers about related projects. I started to gain more confidence in my knowledge of the field. I began offering experiment ideas for other projects, was able to ask more specific questions, and became confident enough to make decisions about experiments without asking an advisor.

Working with a team of students on many different deliverables felt chaotic at times. I had to delegate responsibilities to other members while staying up to date about what was going on. It was especially difficult to keep up with the experimentation without being in lab. I had to rely on a team to get experimental results and make progress on certain deliverables while I focused on fundraising and recruitment. I was lucky to have a team made up of dedicated and hard-working students who were willing to help out with whatever was needed.

The fundraising and recruitment aspects of this project improved my communication. I was able to discuss our project in simple terms to people who had no experience in the field. I was also more comfortable asking for financial support and writing emails that provided just enough information for possible donors. We needed to raise enough money to travel overseas and compete in the BioMOD competition. The support we have received thus far has made me excited for the possibilities this student organization has.

Starting a student organization required me to take on a leadership role and practice many skills that I have never used before. I feel more prepared for graduation and beginning a career having experience developing a project, designing deliverables, leading a research team, and professionally communicating for financial and recruitment purposes. I have a stronger understanding of DNA origami, which will help me in furthering my education or starting a career in the biotechnology industry. I am also excited for the future members of OhioMOD and hope the student organization will continue to help undergraduate students get research experience.

We still have a long way to go with fundraising and competition deliverables. I am grateful for the support we have received so far from the Nanoengineering and Biodesign team, the Chemical and Biomolecular engineering department, and the Second-year Transformational Experience Program. I’m looking forward to the competition and the future of the OhioMOD student organization.