Im Olivia Quinine and I was in session two of the Explorers Program and I had so much fun! On the first day we started learning about cancer and the behaviors of cancer cells.
Then we did a DNA extraction lab where we extracted DNA from strawberries using dish soap, ethanol and other ingredients. We then did a PCR lab and made fluorescent DNA cells, mock blood testing and so many more.
My first impressions of the program was that I was intimidated by the people here and the research that we had to do. However, quickly felt like I was getting the hang of it and everyone was so kind and welcoming I felt like I fit right in. We also did a bunch of activities and lessons learning about cancer treatments and how they work and some problems that can occur, and work that doctors and scientists do to help come up with more effective solutions. We got to take many tours of different labs and learn about all the important work that goes on at the Hutch.
We had the opportunity to speak with some interns from the SHIP program and they are all high school seniors. They gave us a lot of amazing advice and insight to their experiences with school, lab work, college applications and applications to internships. It was very much appreciated by all of us explorers that we got that chance to learn from people only a couple years older then us to help lead us and guide us on the right path to what we are passionate about. One of my favorite parts of this opportunity was making connections and relationships with kids who live in my area and learning together and being there for each other when we need help.
Another thing I love about the program was that we got to go to other bio-tech labs across the street and we didn’t stay at the same building the whole time, all of us got to use a microscope and look at live leukemia cells and see how they divide and grow which was fascinating. Everyone also enjoyed going on the balcony and seeing the view which is so beautiful during all times of the year. I also loved hearing a talk from Dr. Raabya Rossenkhan from Botswana, she was very inspiring in the way she spoke about being a woman of color in science and how it can be a lot different but that differences are good and it can be a beautiful thing to bring brand new perspectives to the table and it really made me feel so empowered because I knew it is hard for women in any field of work but she gave a lot of us hope that we can do great things and most importantly that we can do anything we set our minds to. Overall I’ve learned so much about diseases and treatments for them and how they are made and what happens inside your body when you take them but also so much about myself and how I want to contribute to helping others. I’ve enjoyed every part of this journey from the labs, to hearing doctors and scientists talk about their jobs and making new friends.
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