Practicum Reflection
For the 2021-2022 school year I worked in Dr. Clyne's Vascular Kinetics Lab located A. James Clark Hall. The lab focuses on using engineering methods to understand how integrated biomechanical and biochemical factors contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Specifically, I worked under the postdoc Ryan Sapp whose project focuses on understanding how perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is impacted by biological sex and high fat diet-induced obesity. I have been interested in conducting research since I was in high school. I previously worked in a research lab during my junior and senior year of high school. I truly did enjoy my experience as I was able to get on-hands experience on applying scientific methods and develop findings from my research. Having this experience, I knew that I wanted to continue to conduct research during undergrad. During the summer after my freshman year, I looked into the research professors were conducting in the bioengineering department. Once, I solidified my top interests I reached out to the professors via email and set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of joining the lab. In lab I cultured PVAT obtained from the thoracic aorta high fat diet and low-fat diet female and male rats. In a biosafety cabinet I weighed out the PVAT, cut it into relatively small pieces and cultured it in a 6-well plate to incubate for 24 hours. After the PVAT was incubated for 24 hours, the PVAT conditioned media was collected and frozen for future experimentation. By feeding the rats an obesity induced diet we were able to analyze the impacts it has on underlying gene pathways. I learned a lot of important lab techniques that I will continue to expand upon during future experimentation throughout the summer where I will be trying to understand how the secreted factors in the PVAT cultured media impacts vascular cells. One of the most important things I have learned about research is the amount of organization and planning an entire experiment takes and the level of analysis that goes into it after conducting the experiment. Presenting the results to your experiment in a clear and concise manner is truly important as you want people to be able to see the impacts from your work. Conducting lab research has made me consider what my post-undergrad plans are. I'm currently on my journey of exploring what pathway I want to take post-undergrad whether that be pursuing higher education or going straight into the bioengineering field. Research has opened my eyes to the possibilities of bioengineering. It has taught me the differing levels on which research findings can be applied, the number of experiments that goes into one overarching project, and the level of detail one specific part can take. For scholars interested in exploring their interests in bioengineering or research in general I would reach out to a professor that you have in mind, or you can view the professor's research through your specific departments faculty website to see if their lab focuses on your interest. Once you find someone's research who sparks your interest either reach out to them via email or in-person if you are currently enrolled in their course or even if you previously took their course. Make sure to explain to the professor why you are interested in joining their lab and what your specific research interests are. Remember to find something that truly fits your interests because you will be spending a significant amount of time on your research project, and it makes it all more worthwhile if you’re doing something that you enjoy.