The opportunity of stepping out of the four walls of a high school science classroom and stepping into the four walls of a professional lab of research is not one in which everyone can easily stumbleupon. Through this experience, I was able to gain an insight on the depths of biology, ranging from the process of metastasizing cancer cells, autoimmune diseases, and even CRISPR. Although I enjoyed every aspect of this program, I had the most interest in the lab activities that we participated in during the course of the two weeks. We engaged in fun-filled experiments with our peers, which gave us access to see the point of view of professional scientists and researchers. The first lab experiment that we conducted was the HeLa Cell Splats, where we learned how to create cell splats on microscope slides using different materials. This was exciting as my partner and I were able to take turns noticing the chromosomes that were apparent through staining the slides. Our cells were able to splatter, however it did not have a defined spread, meaning from a significant vertical distance, there was enough impact in which the splattering could occur and be visible through the microscopic lens even as it could not spread to an effective degree. We also did a similar procedure with the Fibroblast slides, where we used microscopic lens in different settings to alter the visibility of chromosomes to detect which well was cancerous. This gave us an opportunity to view how cancer appears. I took note of how more white blood cells were visible as white bloods cells appear to fight against sickness/illnesses. The red blood cells were rather scattered instead of being binded together. The usage of micropipette was also an interesting experience since it allowed us to successfully obtain liquid in a precise way. We used the micropipette in nearly all of our lab work, showing its effectiveness and efficiency. Using lab equipments that are routinely used with professionals was quite encouraging as well. Another lab we did was the process of electrophoresis using a gel box. When I first saw a gel box, I felt quite intimidated as I believed I would be unable to function it properly. However, once I got the hang of its purpose, it was quite simple! We used the gel box in different scenarios, such as when figuring out pH levels of liquid, the dye and indicator lab, and most notably the CRISPR labs. During the CRISPR lab, we actually experienced a “malfunction” with our gel box as our gel was unable to form properly, resulting in a minor setback in which we nearly were unable to get results (luckily we noticed on time!). This experience taught us the lesson of how important it is to always ensure that ALL parts of an experiment is completed before moving onto the next step. Luckily, through patience and perseverance, we were able to successfully conduct our experiment. I favored the social aspect of this program, as we were able to gain knowledge from different presenters on how affected society, especially minorities, are when it comes to health. It was quite refreshing as we were able to comprehend that illnesses are more than just complex lab experiments or the study of the human body. They are an obstacle that many people are not able to overcome due to disadvantages within society. I learned that typically minorities are unable to access effective treatments for illnesses such as cancer or HIV due to geographic locations, limited access, and even personal issues such as mental health or poverty. This is where equity must come into place, where everyone should be able to benefit based on their necessities to achieve an equal level of society. As I desire to be an activist for social justice, learning more about how underprivileged minorities are when it comes to getting access towards healthcare has given me the desire to focus on social justices that can fused with a medical career. I have ambitions on becoming a “traveling” anesthesiologist in different countries where there may not be an abundant amount that can ensure successful surgeries. I learned that Hispanics and African American communities tend to have the highest and worse rates of cancer as a result of inefficient forms of treatments. As an African American, such statistics is shocking as it hurts to acknowledge how people within my community are suffering from illnesses for reasons in which they can not help. I also learned that several different issues within society, such as injustice, racism, and discrimination can correlate towards issues of HIV and other serious illnesses. Such issues can stem from a lack of knowledge within our communities, as people often maintain ignorant mentalities without truly being willing to understand. I desire for all issues to be eradicated in the near future, which I am currently taking action to contribute towards due to the help of the voices of all we have met through this program.
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