I am really looking forward to working in a research lab as a part of WAGSFP! As a pre-med student studying gender & health as well as biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience, I have had the opportunity to learn about science, health, and wellbeing in the classroom, in clinical settings, in extracurricular activities, and now in a research environment with Dr. Soofi as my mentor.
When working in the lab, I am especially looking forward to learning not only about the research topic itself, but also about research methods, research integrity, and how teamwork plays out in a research environment. I also am looking forward to learning about women’s health from this scientific lens, as I am passionate about women’s health and hope to pursue this medical field in the future. As I am new to the lab and am still figuring out the procedures and expectations, I really want to hold myself accountable for asking questions when I need help and taking the time to self-evaluate my understanding as I learn new things. I never want to be in the position where I am not sure what I am doing and do not reach out for help; what has been awesome so far about working with Dr. Soofi is that this lab really emphasizes mentorship and teamwork, so questions are always welcome and they are willing to let me try new things, knowing that they are there to help if needed. Right now, it is a little bit daunting to think about all that I am going to learn and be able to do in the future, but I am excited to see my growth over the summer and reflect back on all the improvement I have made by August.
I have a lot of background STEM knowledge as a pre-med student, and my specific interest in women’s health is something I have also explored in classes, in leadership positions on campus, in hospital settings, and in volunteer organizations. I am excited to bring this mix of knowledge to the lab team as we investigate ovarian cancer.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts as you get started in this new lab. Definitely keep asking questions, you will learn so much by asking questions. I am really glad you are working in a lab that aligns so well with your career goals!
Take care,
Emily