The following three assignments are archived from an Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics (a 200-level course), Microbiology (a 300-level course), and the Biology of Cancer (a 400-level course). All of these materials display my ability to evaluate, interpret, and apply experimental design and draw valid conclusions from the experiences. In each course, I participated in group research projects. With each increasing course level, my group and I were given more independence from the professor to develop our own research questions and conduct individual experiments. For example, in Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics, all students were given the topic of “microbial diversity” and were required to collect a bacterial sample from two locations of choosing. All of the data analysis was conducted as a group, with only the data points differing. As my skills developed and I was given more responsibility in upper-level courses and was able to design and conduct independent experiments, alongside my peers.
From this growth of independent experimentation, I have learned how to accurately develop independent research questions, apart from instruction by my professors. These experiences have taught me to work without direct supervision, alongside my peers. With more independent research and experimentation there was more room for error, without professor led experimentation. For example, in the experiment conducted in the Biology of Cancer, when my group and I were counting cell culture numbers through a flow cytometer, we did not obtain results. Some where along the way, our cells did not make it into the test tubes. To resolve this issue, my group and I redid the experimentation and were slightly put behind since we did not obtain results the first time. To overcome this set back, my group and I had to work as a team to catch up on the setback.
I think I have proficiently succeeded in accomplishing this goal. The skills that I have learned from this goal can be applied to all areas of my scientific career. As I plan to become a physician’s assistant, I will also carry this knowledge with me to that field. As I evaluate a patient’s complaints, I will interpret the complaints and apply an experimental design, to run various lab tests to discover the problem, and interpret the lab results to arrive at my conclusion of what is wrong with the patient.
Poster Presentation from Microbiology