June 24th, 2013- First Day in the Szumlinski Lab

Just like the first day of school, I felt excited and nervous about my first day in lab! I attentively listened to the coordinators talk about the their expectations of us as interns and upcoming events but at times  caught myself imagining about the lab. After our first CSEP mandatory meeting, I met up with one of the graduate students from the Szumlinski Lab, Christina, who took the time to show me around the lab. I immediately felt welcomed and bit comfortable. My first impression of the people working from the lab was a positive one. Right from the start, I was impressed at the supportive environment. I observed graduate students and lab technicians helping each other out and looking out for each other. One of my first epiphanies included realizing that unlike undergraduate school, where students seem to constantly compete against each other, graduate school requires much more collaboration and communication skills.

The day I met my mentor, I felt that I immediately got along with her! When we discussed her projects, she gave me the opportunity to decide which of her projects I wanted to work on for the summer. One of the most important things I realized while working in the lab was the importance of establishing a good and strong relationship with one’s faculty member, other graduate students, lab technicians, and specially one’s mentor. Once one has a good relationship, one feels more comfortable asking questions. I feel like I got a small preview of  how a relationship between a graduate student and a faculty member might look like.  Another thing I have learned thus far is to NOT be afraid to reach out for help when one needs it nor be shy to ask for questions when something is unclear.

When it comes to the UCLEADS program, we have been provided with so many opportunities to not only grow as undergraduate students and future researchers but as individuals. Some of the events include attending GRIT talks where professors from UCSB present their research. One of the most fascinating talks I attended was about robotics, and the professor that presented received her education from MIT, completed her postdoc at Harvard University, and was a professional poker player! After most of the talks (if not after all of them) I simply felt fascinated and amazed at how fast science and technology is evolving.

Overall, I have had a good experience with the program and my lab group! I feel fortunate to have been given this opportunity! Thank you everyone who made this possible and contributed to my positive experience here in UCSB! Much love!