Moriah H.

Partnering with Sumiya in the lab, we ran gel electrophoresis, and we were finally able to successfully separate DNA fragments

The Cas9/gRNA Reaction Lab was my very first experience with CRISPR. I had only read about CRISPR making cuts in the DNA at certain points before in a book, so it was very cool to use the actual technology to perform an experiment myself. In the lab, I had a partner, and we both labeled our microtubes with our initials and selected the gRNA we wanted to use (basically like selecting a gRNA signal to send to Cas9 to identify the exact point on the DNA where it should cut). We measured PCR-grade water, Cas9 buffer, and our two gRNAs and mixed them together to initiate the reaction. After incubation of our samples and the addition of a PCR DNA sample, we ran our mixtures through gel electrophoresis. Gel electrophoresis is like a filter where smaller pieces of DNA move faster through the gel than larger pieces do, and by looking at the bands we were able to determine if our edits were successful or not.

  Our first attempt was not so great. The DNA ladder was very faint, and we were unable to clearly identify the bands. Sumiya and I decided to redo the experiment and this time we really analyzed each step under the instruction of our TA’s. Our second attempt during the CML Spot Test worked and we were able to see clear bands of DNA. I felt a sense of accomplishment when the TA told me that we had done everything correctly. I learned a lot from this lab, and I found out that patience is needed when conducting research and one really must pay attention to detail. I also realized that teamwork is very important and in science you should never give up even if your experiment isn’t working the first time you try it. Science involves thinking outside the box and testing new solutions. Using real gene-editing technology made the science feel more real than ever and left me with a new respect for all the researchers at Fred Hutch.

Our cohort walking together and working as a team at Fred Hutch made everyday fun and meaningful

One of my favorite aspects of the Fred Hutch Explorers experience was getting to know the other students in my cohort both inside and outside the lab. Although this picture shows us walking together, this program was about so much more than that. It was about collaborating with each other to share ideas, challenge each other, and work together to improve our work as a team. Whether we were waiting in line to get into the lab, trying to come up with potential answers, or huddling over the results of an experiment, I always felt supported by the group. We each brought unique perspectives to the program, and by simply asking questions or comparing notes, we were able to improve our work.

  One example of this collaboration comes from our Protocol Design experiment, where we had to work in pairs to figure out how to best extract DNA from strawberries. After completing our experiments, we all came together as a group with our TAs, and each pairs shared the successes and failures of their protocols. Hearing other pairs talk through their protocols and their troubleshooting techniques really allowed me to think more critically about my own work. We eventually took the best parts of each group’s work to create an even more improved final protocol. Working with other motivated students in this way made this program so much more memorable for me and inspired me to work as hard as I could to do my best. Collaborating with a team at Fred Hutch was such an important lesson for me, because science is not only about experiments and data, but also about building a positive and supportive community that pushes you to grow and be creative and even make some real friendships.

    Visiting Dr. Barry Stoddard’s lab, we saw a real X-ray crystallography machine in action, learning how researchers study proteins down to the atomic level

I had previously had little to no idea what X-ray crystallography was only that it was one of those fancy processes that scientists used to “see” what molecules looked like. When we were given the opportunity to visit Dr. Barry Stoddard’s lab at Fred Hutch, Dr. Stoddard actually showed us the X-ray crystallography machine. He explained the processes involved in X-ray crystallography, which works by beaming X-rays through crystals of proteins in order to map out a 3D structure of the protein at a very high resolution. I had never had the opportunity to see an X-ray crystallography machine in person, so when I was actually in the same room as the machine and watched as the data was collected on the computers, it no longer seemed to be as mysterious as I had originally thought. I had always been curious as to how scientists were able to “know” what proteins ‘looked’ like and being able to see the technology that makes that possible finally answered that question for me, in a way that made sense. I think I also gained a greater appreciation for why such having highly detailed images of molecules is so important in terms of developing drugs and learning about disease on a molecular level. The lab visits also helped me to understand the extent to which technology, creativity, and collaboration go hand in hand in making scientific discoveries. I found myself looking more into structural biology after this visit and felt more comfortable asking questions about things I may not understand because I now know that even the most complex of scientific processes can become clear, once you have a chance to see it up close.

Hearing from our TA, Alex and guest speakers gave me a real look at the many paths in science and inspired me to dream bigger about my own future

My favorite Fred Hutch moments occurred outside the lab, as I had the opportunity to speak with our TAs, like Alex and other guest speakers. Alex shared his story about how he ended up in a research lab from not having a clear direction or idea of interests in high school, to having an idea about what to explore in college, to eventually working in a real lab and conducting real science. It was powerful and reassuring to hear about the uncertainty that Alex had as a student because it made me feel more comfortable with the fact that I also do not have everything figured out. He made me realize that there are many ways in which I can grow as a scientist, even if I change my plans along the way.

  We also had guest scientists, like Dr. Barbara Norquist, come to talk to us about their careers and the science they are working on. Dr. Norquist shared her work in cancer genetics and made it clear to us how research can make a real impact for patients and for the future of medicine. Learning more about what Dr. Norquist does, which is helping bridge the gap between science and clinical care, was another moment for me where I was made aware of the many different roles in health care outside of being a physician. Mary Grace Katusiime, a professional development scientist and the manager of education programs at Fred Hutch, spoke about the many internships and educational opportunities that are available for students at Fred Hutch. I also appreciated how she encouraged us as students to keep pushing for more and exploring new experiences.

Two scientists I particularly enjoyed hearing from were Dr. Paul Edlefsen and Dr. Raabya Rossenkhan, as they both gave a presentation together. I was inspired by Dr. Rossenkhan’s journey as a lead research scientist and her advice on career building, and I was also interested to hear Dr. Edlefsen’s view as a staff scientist who is part of projects that make big impacts on public health. It was encouraging to meet scientists and educators from all these different backgrounds to realize that there are many ways to make an impact in science and that I am in the driver’s seat to create my own path. These interactions helped open my eyes to different opportunities, made me feel more confident about my decision to pursue science, and left me eager to learn more and meet more mentors like them.

Working together on our poster project made learning about cancer more engaging and helped me enjoy presenting science with my classmates

Creating a poster on one of the six hallmarks of cancer was one of my favorite projects from the Fred Hutch Explorers program. I say this because, while the content of the hallmarks themselves was not too difficult to understand with help from our group mates and our mentors’ clear instruction, actually organizing and visualizing it on a large poster allowed me to digest the process cancer cells go through in order to multiply and grow. My group was assigned “Evading Growth Suppressors” and being able to explain it to our fellow Explorers really opened my eyes to the significance of understanding how to translate the material into an easy to follow process for other audiences to follow. Being able to see other teams’ posters in the classroom was an interesting experience as well, as it allowed me to see how different pieces fit together. This activity made science more accessible for me and encouraged me to ask and answer more questions during my time here as well as help me practice the process of sharing my knowledge in front of an audience. I found it easier to discuss these concepts at the end of the week than at the beginning of the week— thank you all for coming together as a team and presenting as a team and allowing me to see the process and products of all your hard work.

  Final Word: As my experience as a Pathways Explorer Researcher Program participant ends, I just wanted to send out a big thank you to everyone who made these experiences possible. From the guest speakers who came and shared their amazing and inspirational stories, the TAs who supported us along the way, and everyone else who works behind the scenes to make the program happen, each person made this a very welcoming and engaging environment for us to explore, learn, and work together. I also want to send a special thank you to Dr. Gennifer Goode, for her amazing work leading this program and for being so dedicated to the program and its students. This program opened my eyes to what is possible in research and created a community of support for future scientists.