- For my project, I participated in undergraduate research at The Ohio State University. The focus in my research was on cell separations vis magnetism along with cell cytometry in the chemical and biomolecular engineering field.
- While completing my project, I was able to learn a lot about how new technology comes about and the process that occurs for this. Before this, I had always heard about new research and inventions coming from university research but was very uneducated about the process it takes for these products to evolve. The research, time, and problem-solving skills that go into a new idea are all things I had known before, but the magnitude of them was unknown to me. This made me look at the world in a different light, especially the medical field, as that was the focus of my research. The field has come such a long way, in such a short time, that I overlooked all the time that so many people put into their research to get it to where we are now.
- As mentioned previously, I learned a lot about how new technology comes to be, and I have this project to thank for that. The hands-on work gives me a new appreciation for all the brilliant people that have taken technology to where it is today. This experience taught me so much about how to go about experimental research that I can take in future endeavors. Participating in the lab taught me about the steps you must take to get a product from a simple idea to a functioning, usable product.
However, the people I was able to work with taught me so much about this field and research in general that it was the true highlight of my experience. I got to work with a professor that has done research at the University level for over thirty years in the biomolecular field. Being able to work with him, ask him questions, and hear his wisdom, not only about our work but about the field in general, was so informative. His advice will not only help me in professional settings in the future, but my education here at Ohio State. We were able to discuss the classes offered here, and what I can do to help myself succeed here in the time I have left.
I also got to work with many graduate students from all over the world and hear their experiences from their previous education along with what they had learned at Ohio State. Not only did they teach me a lot about the research, but they gave great insights into what is entailed in graduate school. The students also gave great resources to learn more about current research outside of ours. I was able to read a lot of research papers on varying subjects, which greatly expanded my knowledge about medical and scientific advancements.
- This opportunity gave me so much information and greatly helped in deciding what I want to do in the future. I have debated going to graduate school all four years of college, and this helped me decide. By getting to talk to graduate students, seeing what they do on a day-to-day basis, and obtaining more information about it, I decided that I am not ready to pursue further schooling. However, that does not mean that this experience will not help me in my future endeavors. It taught me so many professional skills, lab techniques, and problem-solving skills that I can take on to my future career. The research experience allowed me to realize that I would love to work in a research-based environment and may be interested in further education later in life. In addition, I would love to continue working in the biomolecular side of engineering after I graduate as I found the work exciting and something I am passionate about. Overall, the research at Ohio State this summer taught me so much, not only about the field I was working in, but also about myself.
