Kate d.

The Fred Hutch Pathways Explorers Program has been an incredible window into the workings of a research facility. In the past two weeks, this program has taught me foundational lab skills essential for biomedical research, such as pipette use, gel electrophoresis, and PCR. Our cohort toured various labs around the Hutch campus – each peek into a lab gave us a hint at the complexity of challenges scientists tackle here. Most importantly, the faculty at Fred Hutch Cancer Center models a cohesive and cooperative team of scientists. As I continue to grow as a scientist, I will absolutely remember this program as one that shaped my perspectives and ambitions. I am incredibly grateful for the Explorers Program, and the countless volunteers, mentors, donors, and guests that make it possible.

 Me (right) with Kylie on our first lab day

Almost daily, Explorers spend time in the training lab with hands-on activities. My highlight in the lab was our final activity: testing patient samples (imitation ones, of course) for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, or CML. Beforehand, we took notes on the mechanism that induces CML, a genetic translocation, or swapping of chromosome segments. In the lab, we received our patient blood samples, amplified the potential CML mutation via PCR, and then visualized the presence of the mutation through gel electrophoresis. This lab was a great conclusion because it incorporated skills we had learned throughout the program and gave us a taste of real clinical work.

Pouring buffer for gel electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis to identify CML patients

Lab activity to practice pipette use

Over two weeks, we visited labs that specialize in a huge variety of subjects. We were shown animal models such as fish, fruit flies, and tiny worms known as C. Elegans, each with a unique purpose in research. We toured the Allen Institute across the street that specializes in neuroscience and visited labs beneath Fred Hutch connected by tunnels. Everywhere we went, the scientists here were excited to show us a peek into their work and to answer our questions.

A C. Elegan under the microscope being injected

My highlight from our tours was visiting Dr. Stoddard’s lab and the X-Ray Crystallography machine. Dr. Stoddard had presented earlier to our group about his work, and it was clear how passionate he is about it. He started the lecture by telling us: “put your notebooks away, you won't need them”. Dr. Stoddard explained his work with stories and explanations that we could understand, despite the complexity of the machinery. He studies protein structure in order to accurately map out their shape. From here, scientists can create molecules that interact with the protein to change its function. Finding the shape is quite difficult, since in aqueous solutions, proteins flow around and x-rays don’t pick up a coherent shape. To solve this, Dr. Stoddard crystallizes the proteins. X-ray crystallography has been used since 1912, and Rosalind Franklin used the technique in her discovery of DNA’s shape. It was shocking to see these machines in person! The process isn’t easy, and Dr. Stoddard’s quest to find the perfect environment for protein crystallization took his experiments onto Soviet rockets and into space!

Dr. Stoddard and I, in front of the X-Ray crystallography machine

The most impactful concept that the Explorers Program has shown me is the collaboration that is essential to high level scientific work. The Fred Hutch community models the total opposite of the “lone scientist” myth. Departments across the campus collaborate with their tools and knowledge to make new discoveries. One of my favorite guest presentations was from a pair of scientists: Dr. Raabya Rossenkhan, a virologist, and Dr. Paul Edlefsen, a statistician. The two shared their individual stories and how they use their different skills in combination to understand HIV. In explaining her career journey, Dr. Raabya explained the Japanese concept of Ikigai - what makes a fulfilling purpose. To find Ikigai, your work must be something you love, something the world needs, something you are good at, and something that can make money. She shared her experience being raised in Botswana amid an HIV crisis. Dr. Raabya loves scientific pursuit, saw firsthand the need for HIV research, found success in this science, and now works at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. While the Edlefsen team’s research was incredible, their passion for their work was even more impactful.

Pathways Explorers Cohort 1, identity cards

The Pathways program has been an outstanding experience as a young scientist. It has been a privilege to meet with so many other unique high school students who share my passion for science. So much thanks to the guest speakers, presenters, lab guides, and mentors that have made this opportunity possible.