For my STEP signature project, I was an undergraduate research assistant in the Dubey lab in the Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity in the Biomedical Research Tower. During this time I worked on an individual process regarding looking at the B memory cell responses of non-pregnant and pregnant women to the TdaP booster against the pathogen Bordetella Pertussis. Specifically, I utilized flow cytometry assay to look at the different markers of cells in isolated PBMC samples from patients who volunteered from Franklin County and characterized the cell populations based on those markers.

As an undergraduate in this lab, I was not entirely confident in my abilities to perform a research project by myself. I felt I was still relatively new to the field and did not have all the knowledge necessary to complete the project, additionally, for my project, I would be required to utilize an assay that I was not previously trained on in much detail. However, while completing my project I received a lot of help and support from my lab members in which I was able to properly learn the assay step by step, learned how to trouble-shoot and was able to ultimately perform the assay and complete my project. Throughout this essay conducting portion of my project I learned how to run my project from start to finish independently which gave me a greater confidence in my abilities.

After the completion of my project I presented my data as a poster at an immunology conference in Chicago. Prior to this conference I was again unconfident in my abilities to properly talk about my research as I felt I did not have enough knowledge about the field to be presenting at a conference. However after presenting my data and talking to people who were interested in my project I realized that I had gained a lot more knowledge and skills regarding my field of research than I had previously thought. Overall from my time doing this project I had gained a lot more confidence as a researcher and learned a great deal about how to navigate being more independent in the lab.

During my time completing my STEP signature project the main factor that led to the transformation that was previously mentioned was the relationships I built with the people in my lab, mainly the mentorship I received from my postdoc. From the members in my lab I was able to learn different skills and perspectives on aspects about my project that ultimately led me to become a better researcher. This included how to develop the correct protocol for the assay I specifically needed to utilize for my project, different ways of analyzing data to represent different subsets of populations, how to graph my data to meet a publishable standard, and how to present my data to other people. By receiving help along the way and being able to see how different members in my lab had their own ways of working in the lab I was able to form my own efficient process on how to complete my project. 

After the completion of the physical project, one of the main hurdles that I had to overcome was preparing to present the data to the conference in Chicago. Due to my project being a part of the collaboration with the CDC that my lab had I had to present previous data in order to present a more cohesive poster. Due to the fact I was presenting data that was not my own I was not confident in my abilities to present at the conference; however, my PI and the other members of my lab were always willing to lend a helping hand and helped me practice my presentation. I learned numerous aspects about what goes into presenting data at a conference. I learned about how to write in a scientific manner when I was submitting my abstract to the conference from my PI, and during lab meetings, my lab members were willing to designate time to me to allow me to present my poster to them and provide feedback. These practice poster presentations helped me immensely overcome my nervousness of presenting as it allowed to carefully plan out what I was going to say and I learned how to handle getting asked questions that I may not even know the answer to. 

Presenting my data at the conference in Chicago was an important experience and a milestone in my scientific career as I was able to talk to others about my data and learn a great deal about other research occurring in the vast field of immunology. Overall, the relationships that I built with the people in my lab have greatly helped me grow as a researcher and an individual. From the guidance of everyone in my lab, I have learned how to develop methods that work for me to become more efficient in the wet lab portion of my research as well as learned how to properly communicate information regarding data to others in the aspect of presentation. 

This change is very valuable for my future professional goals. The skills that I have gained through my experience with this project are valuable skills that I would be unable to learn in a typical academic class setting. I aspire to be an anesthesiologist assistant in which this career requires a lot of hands-on skills and independence in performing procedures to properly administer anesthesia to patients. From my project, I have gained a greater confidence in being independent with my hands-on procedure skills which is a great component of my future career. Additionally, I have also learned how to overcome numerous obstacles in my time at my research lab as well as learned how to be in a collaborative environment as well which is vital for an anesthesiologist assistant as well. Overall I believe there are many parallels between my job as an undergraduate research assistant and an anesthesiologist assistant in which the lessons I have learned from my time in my lab will transfer over to my future career and help me immensely.

For my STEP signature project, I worked in a research lab studying pancreatic cancer. Over the course of the semester, I worked with many different parts of the scientific process, including experimental design, care for the mouse colony that we conduct our research on, and scientific protocols and procedures.

Over the course of my step project, my understanding of myself changed throughout my development in the lab. I gained confidence in myself in a lab environment and within the scientific community with goal building and communication. I was able to spend a lot of time in the lab weekly, which helped me to see what a life in a scientific research career looks like. This helped me to solidify my career goals and made me confident that I want to attend graduate school after I complete my undergraduate career. I now can say that I identify myself as a research scientist and I want to continue doing this as a career.

My view of the world also changed through my knowledge of pancreatic cancer and its impact on so many people. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly types of cancer and a diagnosis is almost always a death sentence, as the disease is often detected too late for treatments to be successful. Seeing how diseases like this impact patients and their families reminds me why I am passionate about the research that I am doing and why me and my fellow lab members work so hard, in hopes that we can help develop a cure for this disease so it doesn’t continue to negatively impact so many people.

The main way in which my step signature project led to these changes was through the relationships I built and developed with the other members of the lab. These people are all much older and further along in the field and were able to offer me guidance, advice and encouragement about how to move forward with my specific project and my overall career goals. It is super important to me to have mentoring relationships that are able tohelp me when things get hard, which is important in a field that is often very challenging to navigate.

One activity that my STEP signature project has given me the opportunity to pursue is the beginning of my application for a Pelotonia fellowship. If selected, this fellowship will give me even more experience with cancer research and will give me opportunities to be independent in the lab, which will be beneficial experience for my future academic and professional career. It will allow me to have the experience designing and completing an independent research project from the initial idea all the way to collecting and analyzing the results.

Another opportunity that my STEP signature project has given me is the chance to mentor another undergraduate student. This student joined the lab after me and therefore I had a lot of knowledge and skills that I had developed that I was able to teach to this other student. I was able to show them how we do certain procedures in the lab and explain why we do them. I was also able to answer a lot of questions about the research that the lab does. This was beneficial for this student because, as a peer, I am less intimidating and easier to go to for help than a graduate student or postdoctoral scholar. This experience helped me improve communication skills as well as gave me confidence in my knowledge of the lab and my research.

Throughout my life and all of my experiences, I have been searching for something that felt like it “clicked” in order to make career goals and future plans. I never experienced this feeling until I began working in the research lab. I found myself excited to go into the lab each day and see what tasks I would have to do. I really enjoyed all of the lab tasks I learned and performed and I found the work we are doing so exciting. I think that being able to contribute to new scientific knowledge is such a cool experience to have. These feelings contributed to my desire to pursue research as a career. I plan to attend graduate school in order to continue my education and keep developing my research skills. I hope to continue on in cancer research, as I am passionate about it and I hope to be able to make an impact in the field.

Project Overview

For my STEP Signature Project, I conducted undergraduate research in Dr. Christopher Hadad’s lab working closely with Dr. Christopher Callam on the synthesis of novel therapeutics for the treatment of organophosphorus poisoning. I worked in the field of organic chemistry to synthesize, purify, and characterize novel compounds that could serve as potential therapeutics.

A Transformative Experience

While conducting my STEP Signature Project, I realized how much I enjoy the process of conducting research. I am intrigued by fundamental questions that ask about how and why the world works. This project has helped me to realize that I am more interested in conducting basic science research than applying science through medicine. Thus, I now intend to pursue graduate school and earn a Ph.D. in chemistry following my undergraduate schooling instead of attending medical school. I could not have come to this realization without the unique ability to design and pursue my own research project as offered by the STEP fellowship. Being responsible for the synthesis of novel compounds, from beginning to end, has taught me about the challenges, methodologies, and skills associated with research that I will carry with me throughout my career.

Personal Growth

Being able to manage and execute my research project from beginning to end sparked my interest in scientific research and the scientific process. With help from my research mentor, Dr. Christopher Callam, I read scientific literature to find procedures and methods that would synthesize my specific target compounds. I then attempted the reaction conditions from the scientific literature and proceeded to alternate between reading papers and testing reaction conditions until I discovered the most effective conditions to synthesize the target compound from commercially available starting material. The reward associated with synthesizing a pure final product after extensive trial and error is unmatched, and the opportunity to oversee my own project with the necessary support taught me much about the scientific process as a whole and the importance of failure in research. This independence in my research allowed me to assume responsibility throughout every stage of my research, from experimental design to execution, and allowed me to amass enough personal data that I was able to present my research at the Autumn Undergraduate Research Festival (AURF).

The opportunity to present research at the AURF also solidified my decision to pursue research as a career because it allowed me to share my scientific discoveries with others and learn from my peers. Similarly, my weekly presentations of research to my mentor, Dr. Callam, and monthly presentations of research to the lab, including Dr. Christopher Hadad, taught me much about scientific communication. Through these experiences, I learned how to present academic material in a clear and concise way to a wide range of audiences, ranging from experts in the field to members of the public. These experiences also allowed me to engage in scientific discussion with knowledgeable graduate students and faculty members that were interested in improving me and my research. These discussions reinforced the importance of mentorship and support in research, and I am grateful for the support I received from both my mentor and numerous graduate students in the lab throughout my project. Those helping me were not afraid to ask me difficult questions, which improved my knowledge of chemistry and our area of research, but were also quick to lend a helping hand to teach me experimental techniques or software skills needed to process NMRs and ESI spectra. Working with graduate students who are passionate about the advancement of science and excited to share their knowledge allowed me to gain confidence in my research abilities and taught me what it means to be a supportive lab mate. Additionally, working with fellow undergrads who are eager to learn and excited for the future of science taught me soft skills related to collaboration and teamwork, especially when sharing glassware and other instruments.

While there have been numerous instances and experiences that have contributed to my decision to pursue a career in chemistry research, I do remember a specific instance that stands out above the rest. In one of our weekly subgroup meetings, where the graduate and undergraduate students from the lab get together to discuss advances in our field, one of the graduate students was presenting an overview of a type of reaction called a cross-coupling reaction. This graduate student asked difficult questions of the undergraduate students in the lab to test our knowledge of organic chemistry, which proved to be a fun challenge. Following the subgroup meeting, several of the younger undergraduate students in the lab who had not yet taken organic chemistry came to me to ask some questions regarding the material presented in subgroup. I took a few minutes to draw some mechanisms and explain some basic principles in organic chemistry, and during that time I realized how much I enjoyed both participating in academic discussions and teaching others about chemistry. Thus, my time working on my STEP signature project taught me much about myself and my interests, as it taught me that I am both interested in a career in research and a career that allows me to teach or mentor others.

Changing Career Plans

Discovering my interest in basic science research has led me to decide to pursue a career in research instead of a career in practicing medicine. While I am still interested in the medical field and its applications, I now intend to synthesize and purify pharmaceuticals instead of prescribing them. Thus, I now intend to apply to Ph.D. programs in chemistry following my undergraduate schooling. I am grateful to the STEP fellowship for allowing me to discover my passion for basic science, as I am excited and inspired to pursue research in graduate school and can now confidently say I have found a career in which I am truly interested. While I remain unsure of my finite eventual career plans, I know my career will involve research; thus, the scientific and communication skills I have developed through the STEP fellowship will serve me throughout my career. The STEP fellowship has also connected me with exceptional mentors and peers in the field of chemistry whom I truly appreciate and will stay in contact with long after my time at Ohio State. Thus, this experience has allowed me to solidify my career plans, acquire integral skills to support my career, and develop relationships within the field of science that I know will prove valuable throughout the coming years.

I worked in Dr. Julie Golomb’s Vision and Cognitive Neuroscience research lab as a Research Assistant for my STEP Signature Project. Throughout the semester during which I volunteered, I was involved with running subjects for my mentor’s experiment, learning to code my own experiments, analyzing experiment data in order to draw insights related to research questions, and reviewing relevant literature to gain an understanding of the field and the lab’s role in contributing to it. I also became familiar with the protocols and logistics involved in academic research via my presence in the lab.

Throughout my time in Dr. Golomb’s lab, I gained a great understanding of academic research and what it entails. Before working with the team, I knew academic research interested me, and I wanted to understand better the actual processes that result in a published research paper. Through working in the lab, I got to see academic research conducted from end to end, and I saw personally the importance of collaboration, legal adherence, presentation, refinement, logistics, data analysis, and authorship. I interacted with people who were doing these things and learned how they all contribute to the final results. I also got to see up-close how rewarding of a pursuit academic research can be. Whenever a lab member reached a milestone in developing their experiment or writing their paper, the whole lab celebrated it. Getting to see the collaboration and mutual support up close was formative.

I also learned a lot about my own academic interests. I’m a computer scientist at heart with a strong interest in cognitive science, and if I pursue academic research in the future, it will probably be in a field closer to computer science than neuroscience. Obviously I don’t regret a second of the time I spent with Dr. Golomb’s lab. The process of volunteering and seeing the research methodology myself played a role in clarifying my own future aspirations and potential academic direction. I have a heightened respect for the work that researchers of psychology and neuroscience do for having worked with them, and I also have a better understanding of the work I want to do in the future.

The key aspects of my experience that led to the transformative impact of my STEP Signature Project are relevant to the hands-on work I got to do in the lab, from running subjects to coding my own experiment, my heightened understanding of the research process and of my own future academic direction stem from actual experience with the processes involved in cognitive psychology research.

Recruiting and leading participants through my mentor’s experiments let me become familiar with the interpersonal element of doing research with human subjects. From handing them the legal paperwork to directing them as to how they should input their choices during the experiment, my interactions with participants inspired reflection as to the nuances of research with human subjects. I had to complete a digital training before I was legally allowed to run subjects, which included a history of the legal regulation around human experimentation, and while the experiments I ran consisted of eye tracking and keyboard inputs instead of invasive medical procedures, I was struck by the importance of informed consent and the consideration of ethics when experimenting on other human beings to academic ends.

Having the opportunity to code my own simple digital experiment using PsychToolbox and MATLAB helped me understand the logistics of running digital experiments, and the importance of documentation. There’s a technical challenge associated with making sure edge cases are accounted for and conditions are controlled for, and I was impressed by the nuances involved with ensuring digital experiments are academically sound for publication. The hues of colors are dependent on the screen being used, and when choosing colors for on-screen objects, I had to take into account the color space being used. As easy as it is to visualize a rainbow, color is a vastly complicated subject, especially when it comes to rendering colors on a digital screen, and colors need to be consistent across experiments by different people working in different labs in order to draw scientifically sound conclusions. Another important factor was the latency associated with keyboard inputs and with the eye tracker. The computer in one of the testing rooms I used had a slightly slower response time, and that had to be accounted for when interpreting data and choosing in which room to run certain experiments. Overall, I was impressed by how seriously seemingly small factors are taken in the pursuit of sound science.

The experience I have gained over the course of completing my STEP Signature Project is highly valuable in informing my future academic and professional direction. I am fairly certain graduate school is in my future, and getting to work in an actual research lab, helping answer actual research questions taught me a lot about what to expect from that. It taught me that I’m more technically inclined by nature, and that in the future I would like to work more on the computational, algorithmic side of things. I was exposed to the applications of data science and machine learning to psychological research, and those applications resonated with me more than the psychological research questions being answered. I became familiar with the overlap between data science, machine learning, and cognitive psychology and that familiarity will be invaluable in the process of choosing my own future academic direction. As a Data Analytics major with a Cognitive Science minor, working in Dr. Golomb’s lab has equipped me with the knowledge and experience I need in order to balance my fascination with the brain and the mind with my inclination toward technical work in my future academic and professional endeavors.

For my STEP signature project, I volunteered as a student researcher under the Peters Lab of the OSU College of Dentistry. I participated in research on the regenerative abilities of dentin, the second layer of teeth, after an injury is created on the first molar of mice. Specifically, I observed the effects of removing Osteopontin, which is a key extracellular protein that is involved in bone and dentin mineralization. I worked on comparing the dentin morphology of Osteopontin deficient mice and wild type mice by using staining and imaging techniques on sectioned lower jaw or mandibles of mice.

I struggled with technology, even with more basic tasks such as uploading files and using powerpoint and excel efficiently. When I joined the lab in my freshman year, I was surprised by all the different types of complex technologies the lab used, and due to my lack of confidence in using technology, I stuck to working on more hands-on tasks such as dissecting and sectioning mandibles. Until this project, I avoided using technology in the lab, as I assumed that I would not be able to do the task quickly enough. However, this project has allowed me to become more comfortable with using these complex technologies.

I also struggled with presenting in front of people; I assumed that I would be even more nervous due to presenting in front of highly educated people such as professors, administrators in the dental school, and dental students. However, practicing and doing a large number of presentations helped me become more confident in front of others without stuttering and hesitating constantly. Additionally, I doubted my contributions in the project, as I have never initiated a research project before. Being left with a large chunk of responsibilities for the project was daunting but as I completed sets of mice samples with words of encouragement from my PI and my peers, I was able to gain confidence that my work will eventually shine. 

Through my project, I developed many skills on the computer and microscope. After staining the sectioned mandibles, I worked on imaging the mandibles using the Nikon Eclipse Ts2R microscope and the NIS-elements software at 10x and 20x magnification. This allowed me to inspect the injury site and the morphology of the dentin adjacent to the injury site more closely. Through this project, I learned how to transfer hundreds of files to different devices and how to efficiently organize the images into separate files. I used these images to create composites, which consisted of power points with rows of images organized by magnification of the image, sex of the mouse, and the healing stages of each mouse. Creating multiple composites for my PI allowed me to become smarter with powerpoint, as I developed methods to organize the images more efficiently.

My PI helped me tremendously in preparing for my presentation on research day at the dental school. I participated in presenting previously published peer-reviewed articles about the topic I was researching. By reading many journal articles as well as preparing powerpoints for each one, I gained deeper knowledge on the subject I was going to present on research day. Additionally, by presenting these articles in front of my lab, I was able to learn key skills in public speaking, such as how to explain topics in a simplified way that would allow everyone to understand me. Feedback from my peers also helped me better my skills in presenting. This allowed me to confidently explain my topic in front of the faculty of the dental school.

I was initially confused about the work I was doing and how much there was to do. However, after some months of preparing the mice molars, my PI was able to send in my images to receive grants. When she was able to receive the grant, I was ecstatic to see that my work contributed greatly to the lab. My PI’s words of encouragement also helped me finish all the work that needed to be done. 

The valuable experiences I had during my STEP signature project will contribute to my future endeavors as a student researcher and my future career as a dentist. Being able to use technology efficiently helps me with any work setting and being able to present in front of others without being anxious helps me when I want to communicate effectively and efficiently. My confidence to execute future endeavors has skyrocketed, and I hope to use the skills that I have gained through my research project in the future. 

Stained image of wild type mice first molar with injury.

Engaging in my STEP Signature Project at The Ohio State University during the Autumn semester of 2023 was a transformative experience centered on investigating the interaction between Leishmaniasis and the complement immune system. My main activities included literature reviews, experimental design, and hands-on laboratory work under the guidance of experienced researchers.

This project prompted a fundamental shift in my understanding of scientific inquiry. Previously, my perception was somewhat idealized and detached from real-world implications. However, delving into the complexities of Leishmaniasis and its interaction with the complement immune system allowed me to grasp the tangible impact that research can have on human health. This realization transformed my view of science from a theoretical pursuit to a practical tool for solving real-world problems.

The key aspects of my STEP Signature Project that led to this transformation were interactions with my research mentors and peers. These interactions provided insights into the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry and highlighted the importance of effective communication. Engaging in hands-on laboratory work deepened my appreciation for the challenges of experimental design and execution in biomedical research. Additionally, attending conferences and seminars exposed me to the broader scientific community, emphasizing the global implications of my work and the interconnectedness of research with the larger world.

This change in perspective is significant for my life, particularly as it relates to my academic and professional goals. Understanding the practical implications of research has not only strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in biomedical research but has also influenced the direction of my future studies. The experience highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication of scientific findings. These skills are invaluable assets that will benefit me in my academic and professional journey, aligning with my aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the field of immunology and infectious diseases.

In conclusion, my STEP Signature Project provided a deep dive into the complexities of Leishmaniasis and the complement immune system, fostering a transformation in my perspective on the role of scientific research in addressing real-world problems. This transformation has given me a more profound sense of purpose and direction, shaping my academic and professional endeavors as I continue to contribute to the field of biomedical research.

For my STEP Signature Project, I participated as an undergraduate researcher at the Ohio State University’s Voice and Resonance laboratory. I conducted independent research on the levator veli palitini (LVP) muscle which is involved in everyday activities such as speaking and swallowing. Specifically, I was interested in observing morphometric differences between normal and individuals with a history of cleft palate during rest and production of “silent” /i/ vowel. I participated in data collection and analysis using MRI and 3D visualization software. 

In the beginning of this research project, I wasn’t sure about my capabilities to complete this project successfully because of my lack of experience in this field. On top of that, I had to navigate through a new software while building a new protocol myself. However, this view of myself changed as I was completing tasks one step at a time. As I focused on learning new information about this field and developing research skills, I built the confidence to complete more difficult tasks. 

Additionally, before being involved in my own independent research project, I was skeptical of how my work in the lab could be applied to real-world settings. I felt like analyzing MRI data of this specific LVP muscle, making measurements, and creating 3D models all just seemed trivial. However, as I built my own proposal for the research project, I could finally understand how simple tasks such as taking measurements and comparing data can be applied to the real medical field, providing the best structural model for LVP reconstruction surgery in patients with cleft palates. 

One specific event that helped me change my perception of my own abilities to complete this project was when my PI told me that the protocol I developed for the new 3D visualization software helped her and other labmates navigate through the new interface. This was a big confidence booster as it confirmed that I had the knowledge over this program to be able to successfully make measurements and build 3D models so that my data analysis will also be accurate. This not only gave me confidence on this specific data collection part of my research, but also on other difficult areas such as writing and formulating my results and findings. 

Moreover, the support from my PI really helped with my personal growth throughout this project. With her knowledge and expertise, I was always learning new information, which further helped me whenever I was troubleshooting problems independently. She was always available and open to providing any help that I needed but also guided me to problem solve on my own. Her role as my mentor furthered my personal growth in developing new skills and being competent. 

As previously mentioned, I wasn’t sure at first whether my work in the lab could be a valuable application to the medical field. However, this quickly changed as I was building my proposal for this project. After reviewing other literature and talking to my PI, I realized my project can serve a greater purpose by providing insight to what an ideal morphometry of LVP is for surgeons who will be performing cleft palate reconstruction surgery. This not only changed my previous perspective but also provided a greater understanding of the significance of research in the medical field. 

This personal growth and transformation is significant to my future goal in many ways. Through this experience, I believe I was able to gain valuable experiences and skills as an undergraduate researcher that I will be able to carry on throughout my future academic pursuits. The skills I’ve gained through research are different from what you can learn through a traditional school setting, and this has helped me become a more competent applicant for medical school. More personally, this growth and transformation built confidence in myself and my abilities to succeed in future endeavors and to overcome any obstacles I might face. 

3D Model of the LVP Muscle