When I first came into the Brackenridge, I must admit I had some misconceptions about research. As someone surrounded by STEM research my whole life, with a plan to enter the healthcare field spanning as far back as elementary school, research to me has always meant benchwork. However, after my time this summer I’ve come to the realization that research represents a lot more than torturous hours pipetting 96-well plates. By interacting with the other Brackenridge Fellows, I’ve learned that research is more about the curiosity to discover and the systematic process to reach facts. Research takes many forms across many fields, and it was absolutely incredible to see the projects and methods of the other students. Even with my own chosen field of healthcare and basic cell biology research, I’ve seen so many ways of approaching studies. One of the cooler projects I’ve seen explores the humanities aspect of medicine, an important but oft-overlooked approach.
Besides expanding my understanding of research and learning more about research methodologies, the Brackenridge has given me the opportunity to hone skills in my own laboratory. Conducting 40+ hours of research in a week in my lab at The Assembly (formerly at Hillman Cancer Center) has allowed me to better understand my own project, learn more about related research, improve the fundamental techniques I need to conduct my research, as well as communicate my research. From writing blog posts to my final Brackenridge outcome, I get a feeling that my writing has dramatically improved. I’m finally at a point where I can talk about my work at a professional level that demonstrates a level of mastery, but I can also communicate it to people outside of my field. I know these are all invaluable skills that will serve me for the rest of my life, so I’m grateful this fellowship gave me the chance to develop the skills early in my academic and professional career.
Even though the Brackenridge is over, the work is not. The project I’ve been working on as part of the fellowship has inspired further research, research that I hope will eventually turn into a BPhil or an academic journal publication. This summer has set the groundwork for some exciting future possibilities, and I intend to explore those paths to their fullest potential. I think the Brackenridge has positioned me in a place that will make me competitive for future scholarships and programs that I would like to apply to, so the next steps involve continuing my research and applying for those programs.
The Brackenridge has been such a meaningful and impactful experience for me, and I truly learned a lot in a few short months. To any readers out there, I strongly suggest you consider research and the Brackenridge. It may seem daunting at first, but it is a great opportunity to explore your intellectual passions while also developing academically, professionally, and personally. To my fellow scholars, it’s been an honor getting to learn about you and your projects, and I hope our paths cross again.
