Research is challenging, but it is so worth it. Through all the trials and tribulations, but also all the successes, my time during the Spring 2022 Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship has been such a rewarding experience that I am grateful for. As I’ve taken the time to reflect on my CURF experience, I can safely…
Tag: Biology
CURF #2: Living the Research Dream
I joined the Kwiatkowski lab in January 2020. I learned about his lab from my freshman year FP professor, Patrick Mullen. In a meeting with Patrick, he asked me about my interests, goals, and if I was interested in research. I told him that I wanted to do research but did not know where to…
CURF #2: Overcoming Misconceptions to Become a Researcher
As a freshman, college has been quite the overwhelming experience so far–but in a good way! I’ve been presented with more opportunities than I can take advantage of, and they’ve all come about because I stepped out of my comfort zone to ask people questions. In fact, I found my research mentor, Dr. Zuzana Swigonova,…
CURF Introduction – There’s traffic in your cells too
Hello! My name is Katie Oppenheimer. I am a Junior majoring in microbiology. I’m from Portland, Oregon. Coming from Oregon, I love to spend time in nature, especially backpacking and skiing. I conduct research in the O’Donnell Lab. The O’Donnell lab studies a-arrestins. These protein are adaptors involved in intracellular protein trafficking, acting as a…
CURF Introduction: Touching the Invisible
Hi everyone! My name is Richard and I am a freshman majoring in Biology, minoring in Computer Science, Sociology, and Chemistry, as well as pursuing a certificate in Global Health. A fun fact about me is that I’m an avid tennis player and have even worked as a private tennis coach for two summers! Right…
Reflecting on my CURF Experience: The Journey to Becoming a Researcher
Thinking back on my experiences with CURF, it is undeniable that I have significantly improved my skills as a researcher. Throughout my time in the Brodsky lab, my research has pushed me to learn several new protocols and techniques. Among these, I was given the opportunity to learn various new computational, molecular, and biochemical lab…
Reflecting on my Experiences in the Brodsky Lab
From the very beginning, my experience with the Brodsky lab has been a uniquely personal one. During the second semester of my freshman year, Dr. Brodsky presented a general overview of his research to my foundations of Biology II class as a guest speaker. While explaining his research involving diseases arising from abnormal protein degradation,…
A Look Back at This Semester
Teaching has always been a dynamic idea to me. Every class employs various techniques and principles so students can have the most effective learning experience throughout the semester. However, this semester was different. I was now providing a resource for students to use to help them succeed in class. Something that has shifted my understanding…
Experiences as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
It was freshman year when I first met Dr. Gardner in a new Biology UTA preparation class. Before I decided to pursue genetic counseling, I originally came to Pitt with the idea of eventually becoming a Biology teacher. So, I thought taking the class would help me develop some skills that would prepare me for…
Eastmure’s Educational Enzymes: Teaching Application While in a Pandemic
Hello, my name is Austin Eastmure, and I am a sophomore currently pursuing a Biological Sciences major while also minoring in Chemistry and Japanese Language and Culture. I am extremely excited to be working with my mentor, Dr. Kathryn Gardner, on my teaching project this semester for her Foundations of Biology 1 class. My teaching…