This summer, I worked in the Ebrahimkhani Lab studying stem cell tissue engineering and embryo models. Through the duration of the fellowship, my understanding of research changed. By talking to my peers about their projects in various different fields allowed me to understand the vast ability and impact research has. At the beginning of the summer my thoughts of research were solely centered around the biomedical field, but now when I think of research I think of the work that goes into the humanities and arts as well. I worked extensively on the experimental portion of my project and was constantly presenting my work. This really brought into perspective the importance of communication in research. Over the course of the summer I learned how to best convey my work and practiced with every opportunity that came across. I am taking my experiences this summer and what I have learned about communication and will be using it when discussing my project with research labs I hope to collaborate with.

I found the that the ability to work full time and really immerse myself in my research was the most beneficial. Along with the mentorship of the phd student I work with, I learned what it takes to be a scientist. I learned extensively what the field of research is like as well as the education and training it takes. I believe the experience allowed me to work at similar level of a phd student and while it was extremely difficult, it was definitely rewarding. I found that connecting my work to real world problems and understanding the impact it could have some day was very fulfilling. It motivated me to work hard in the lab and led me to further develop my passion for research. This experience really framed my perspective of what I want to do in future, leading to my decision of pursuing a PhD after my undergraduate career.

I will be applying for the Bachelors of Philosophy program to further my study and my project in synthetic developmental biology. For my project, I am creating a system of tissue ecology engineering for slowing down development in embryo models. I believe this will have a great impact on the field of bioengineering as it will be one of the first modes of temporal engineering. I hope to complete my thesis project by the end of my senior year, and hope to publish a first-author paper as well. Following my undergraduate degree, I will be attending graduate school. My aim is to enter world of biotechnology after my graduate studies.

(Cross Section of HeX Embryoid – Embryo model derived from engineered stem cells.)