1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?
I plan to interview Dee Ann Matthews (a.k.a. Mrs. Matthews). Before becoming a teacher at iPoly, she received a Ph.D. at UC Irvine in Neurobiology and took part in research primarily dealing with the hippocampus. She has so much advice to give, especially when it comes to research. From what I've heard, research can be a dog-eat-dog world, and I'd like to get more insight into why that is and how I can deal with it.
2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask?
What was the first research project you participated in, and how did you become involved?
What exactly did participating in that project entail?
How did you first become interested in the hippocampus?
How did your research regarding that region of the brain turn out?
What part of your education prepared you the most for research?
What kept you going during the harder times?
Why did you decide to get your Ph.D. in Neurobiology?
What was acquiring that Ph.D. like?
What general advice can you give me as I become more involved in research?
What do you know about extremophile research and its general standing in the science community?
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Mentorship and Research Update
Friday was an exciting day.
I made it to Oak Crest at 2:00 pm and stood gawking at the bizarre BSA readings until my mentor ambled into sight. He ushered my fellow unpaid intern and me into the conference room along with the CEO of Oak Crest and three paid researchers. Thus began an hour long chat about "what's cooking." In the end, I found myself officially involved in that very cool extremophiles project, a continuation of one carried out last year. Thanks to this development, my topic is definitely microbiology and I know my EQ will most likely have something to do with extremophiles. Being part of this project means I will have to brush up on some bacteria and archaea basics and read the paper written on the novel methods used by Oak Crest last year. That's all I can say about the project for now - don't want to spoil it for the world.
As far as research goes, I'm currently reading a review from the Journal of Extremophiles that details DNA transfer among hyperthermophilic (super heat (>80ºC) loving) bacteria and archaea. DNA is exchanged across species and domains and enables these microbes to evolve according to their extreme environments. One important find was the presence of a gene coding for reverse gyrase - an enzyme that prevents DNA degradation due to high temperatures - and is now, thanks to ages of DNA transfer, a commonality among all hyperthermophiles.
Last thing:
I made it to Oak Crest at 2:00 pm and stood gawking at the bizarre BSA readings until my mentor ambled into sight. He ushered my fellow unpaid intern and me into the conference room along with the CEO of Oak Crest and three paid researchers. Thus began an hour long chat about "what's cooking." In the end, I found myself officially involved in that very cool extremophiles project, a continuation of one carried out last year. Thanks to this development, my topic is definitely microbiology and I know my EQ will most likely have something to do with extremophiles. Being part of this project means I will have to brush up on some bacteria and archaea basics and read the paper written on the novel methods used by Oak Crest last year. That's all I can say about the project for now - don't want to spoil it for the world.
As far as research goes, I'm currently reading a review from the Journal of Extremophiles that details DNA transfer among hyperthermophilic (super heat (>80ºC) loving) bacteria and archaea. DNA is exchanged across species and domains and enables these microbes to evolve according to their extreme environments. One important find was the presence of a gene coding for reverse gyrase - an enzyme that prevents DNA degradation due to high temperatures - and is now, thanks to ages of DNA transfer, a commonality among all hyperthermophiles.
Last thing:
Amid shining equipment and receptacles of volatile fluids (including
liquid nitrogen), a single flower sits softly under a sky light... :')
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Blog #3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals
1.) List your topic here:
Microbiology
2.) What do you plan to do this year to show growth in each of the ESLRs? Be specific and use an example. Examples can come from senior project, model assembly, core, and/or participation in senior class ASB or other organizations on campus (clubs etc).
• As an Effective iPoly Citizen, I will participate in more community service opportunities including beach and natural habitat clean-ups with TreePeople and Amigos de Los Rios, the feeding of the homeless at the Union Station near my house, and the Wiggle Waggle Walk next month. I will also be more active at school mostly through the Blood Drive committee, but also through HOPE club and Christian Club. If any of my classmates need help with anything, from a physics problem to the challenges of Senior Project, I will be there to give it.
• As an Effective Learner, I will take full advantage of the opportunities that my mentorships provides, helping out around the lab as much as possible and not being daunted by topics or techniques that I find challenging. I will also put in more study time for each core subject than I have in previous years and step up to the plate whenever somebody needs academic help - a.k.a. tutoring. After all, teaching is learning. Cal Poly and Cal Tech provide an array of presentations on various topics throughout the year, so I hope to take advantage of those as well.
•As an Effective User of Technology, I will take advantage of sites like ProQuest, JSTOR, and Academia.edu to provide me with reliable pieces of research, especially since my topic is a scientific one. If there is a topic I feel I need a deeper understanding of, I will consider Kahn Academy, Coursera, and MIT OpenCourseWare as sources for it.
•As an Effective Communicator, I will work on becoming a clearer communicator and improving my projection. During core classes, I will step up to whatever role is given to me in group work and not let fear or self-consciousness prevent me from expressing my ideas. Neither will I let my conviction in my ideas cloud my attention to the ideas and opinions of my group mates. Being a member of the Blood Drive committee will definitely give me the opportunity to improve my verbal communication skills, as I will have to make class announcements regarding upcoming blood drives, and ensure that everybody understands the donor requirements.
Microbiology
2.) What do you plan to do this year to show growth in each of the ESLRs? Be specific and use an example. Examples can come from senior project, model assembly, core, and/or participation in senior class ASB or other organizations on campus (clubs etc).
• As an Effective iPoly Citizen, I will participate in more community service opportunities including beach and natural habitat clean-ups with TreePeople and Amigos de Los Rios, the feeding of the homeless at the Union Station near my house, and the Wiggle Waggle Walk next month. I will also be more active at school mostly through the Blood Drive committee, but also through HOPE club and Christian Club. If any of my classmates need help with anything, from a physics problem to the challenges of Senior Project, I will be there to give it.
• As an Effective Learner, I will take full advantage of the opportunities that my mentorships provides, helping out around the lab as much as possible and not being daunted by topics or techniques that I find challenging. I will also put in more study time for each core subject than I have in previous years and step up to the plate whenever somebody needs academic help - a.k.a. tutoring. After all, teaching is learning. Cal Poly and Cal Tech provide an array of presentations on various topics throughout the year, so I hope to take advantage of those as well.
•As an Effective User of Technology, I will take advantage of sites like ProQuest, JSTOR, and Academia.edu to provide me with reliable pieces of research, especially since my topic is a scientific one. If there is a topic I feel I need a deeper understanding of, I will consider Kahn Academy, Coursera, and MIT OpenCourseWare as sources for it.
•As an Effective Communicator, I will work on becoming a clearer communicator and improving my projection. During core classes, I will step up to whatever role is given to me in group work and not let fear or self-consciousness prevent me from expressing my ideas. Neither will I let my conviction in my ideas cloud my attention to the ideas and opinions of my group mates. Being a member of the Blood Drive committee will definitely give me the opportunity to improve my verbal communication skills, as I will have to make class announcements regarding upcoming blood drives, and ensure that everybody understands the donor requirements.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Summer Mentorship Component
1. Summer Mentorship Log
2. Manjula Gunawardana
(626) 817-0883
m.gunawardana@oak-crest.org
3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? List them.
- How are the symbiotic relationships between microorganisms determined?
- How are functional genes isolated?
- What is the nature of the competition that occurs between labs researching similar topics?
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
I gained a detailed insight into biological research and a deeper understanding of science as a whole. Scientific fields are far more interconnected than I previously thought. In fact, my mentor made it quite clear to me that biologists often do more chemistry than biology, and I learned that there is such a thing as a microbial ecologist (ecology + microbiology) and laser chemist (laser physics + chemistry). When I voiced my interest in marine biology, he also exposed me to how techniques used in a lab like Oak Crest are transferrable to a marine biology lab. I've also realized how foundational group work is to a research lab. There is a great sense of community at Oak Crest and people from varying fields work together to accomplish common goals. Furthermore, I see now that research science is a way of life. My mentor lives and breaths what he does. It's a constant learning experience and no question is too dumb to ask. I think I've gained a measure of intellectual freedom and fearlessness from this realization - or, rather, confirmation of what I've known, but not fully understood, for a while.
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic? Please explain.
I've decided to choose microbiology as my topic, as my mentor has agreed to include me in an extremophile research project. I'm considering making my EQ something along the lines of "What is the most useful application of extremophile research?" I haven't decided how to define "useful" yet, but this is a good start and there exist three possible answers to this EQ... Microbiology is a fairly diverse - and interesting - field with so many applications, from pharmaceutical to environmental to astrobiological (hint hint). It also helps that my mentor is a microbiologist himself.
2. Manjula Gunawardana
(626) 817-0883
m.gunawardana@oak-crest.org
3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? List them.
- How are the symbiotic relationships between microorganisms determined?
- How are functional genes isolated?
- What is the nature of the competition that occurs between labs researching similar topics?
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
I gained a detailed insight into biological research and a deeper understanding of science as a whole. Scientific fields are far more interconnected than I previously thought. In fact, my mentor made it quite clear to me that biologists often do more chemistry than biology, and I learned that there is such a thing as a microbial ecologist (ecology + microbiology) and laser chemist (laser physics + chemistry). When I voiced my interest in marine biology, he also exposed me to how techniques used in a lab like Oak Crest are transferrable to a marine biology lab. I've also realized how foundational group work is to a research lab. There is a great sense of community at Oak Crest and people from varying fields work together to accomplish common goals. Furthermore, I see now that research science is a way of life. My mentor lives and breaths what he does. It's a constant learning experience and no question is too dumb to ask. I think I've gained a measure of intellectual freedom and fearlessness from this realization - or, rather, confirmation of what I've known, but not fully understood, for a while.
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic? Please explain.
I've decided to choose microbiology as my topic, as my mentor has agreed to include me in an extremophile research project. I'm considering making my EQ something along the lines of "What is the most useful application of extremophile research?" I haven't decided how to define "useful" yet, but this is a good start and there exist three possible answers to this EQ... Microbiology is a fairly diverse - and interesting - field with so many applications, from pharmaceutical to environmental to astrobiological (hint hint). It also helps that my mentor is a microbiologist himself.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
2013 2-Hour Presentation Reflections
1.) The presentations I viewed are as follows.
Gina T. - Consultation Pharmacist
Clara A. - Special Needs Behavioral Consultant
Teo C. - Real Estate
Elijah A. - Marine Biology
Nicole D. - Forensic Photography
Valeria N. - Dance Choreography
Amanda M. - Film Directing
Taylor M. - Scope Surgery
Rachel H. - Deaf Culture
Gohan Q. - Mexican Folk Art
Alissa M. - Microbiology
Hanna S. - Theoretical Physics
Jesus A. - Teaching Algebra
Alexis C. - Violin
2.) I only wonder what school life with the senior project at its center will be like, but only time will tell. These last two weeks of presentations have given me a pretty wholesome feel for the project and I now know, logistically, what to expect. My only questions were answered weeks ago by my designated senior inquirer.
3.) Based on what I witnessed during these past two weeks of senior presentations, one of the most important parts of the senior project is the mentorship component. Most of the presenters decided on an EQ and found three answers to it through their mentors. For example, Gina Thi found her three answers largely through the expertise of her mentor Robert. The same can basically be said of every presenter I watched. My summer mentorship will most likely be the main determining factor for my senior project.
4.) I am considering doing my senior project on ecology. Mrs. Cancino first turned me on to ecology - marine ecology in particular, an interest I put into action by becoming a volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. I began considering focusing on riparian ecology this year when I read an interesting article on the effects of pharmaceutical residue on biofilms in Californian rivers. I also found a research opportunity at Oak Crest Institute, one that focuses on freshwater ecology. Land ecology is also a possibility, taken that I live so near to the Eaton Canyon, found a few plant societies I could join in LA, and met a presenter at Adelante Mujer Latina who was inspiringly passionate about Californian native plant life and community gardens.
Gina T. - Consultation Pharmacist
Clara A. - Special Needs Behavioral Consultant
Teo C. - Real Estate
Elijah A. - Marine Biology
Nicole D. - Forensic Photography
Valeria N. - Dance Choreography
Amanda M. - Film Directing
Taylor M. - Scope Surgery
Rachel H. - Deaf Culture
Gohan Q. - Mexican Folk Art
Alissa M. - Microbiology
Hanna S. - Theoretical Physics
Jesus A. - Teaching Algebra
Alexis C. - Violin
2.) I only wonder what school life with the senior project at its center will be like, but only time will tell. These last two weeks of presentations have given me a pretty wholesome feel for the project and I now know, logistically, what to expect. My only questions were answered weeks ago by my designated senior inquirer.
3.) Based on what I witnessed during these past two weeks of senior presentations, one of the most important parts of the senior project is the mentorship component. Most of the presenters decided on an EQ and found three answers to it through their mentors. For example, Gina Thi found her three answers largely through the expertise of her mentor Robert. The same can basically be said of every presenter I watched. My summer mentorship will most likely be the main determining factor for my senior project.
4.) I am considering doing my senior project on ecology. Mrs. Cancino first turned me on to ecology - marine ecology in particular, an interest I put into action by becoming a volunteer at the Aquarium of the Pacific. I began considering focusing on riparian ecology this year when I read an interesting article on the effects of pharmaceutical residue on biofilms in Californian rivers. I also found a research opportunity at Oak Crest Institute, one that focuses on freshwater ecology. Land ecology is also a possibility, taken that I live so near to the Eaton Canyon, found a few plant societies I could join in LA, and met a presenter at Adelante Mujer Latina who was inspiringly passionate about Californian native plant life and community gardens.
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