What a journey (or a TRIP?) it's been for the past couple of months. The weeks have flown by, and I’ve learned so much – from micropipetting to how to give flies head trauma (and killing some in the process...).

​For my independent project, I tested whether omega-3 fatty acids could counteract the negative effects of head trauma on memory. I was initially nervous about the new memory assay I had designed with the help of Dr. Valdes, but it turned out to work perfectly! Week after week and assay after assay, the data began to fit together like puzzle pieces for my conclusion. I ended up finding that omega-3 can alleviate the effect of head trauma on memory! After quantifying developmental data, specifically the development of pupae in my replicates over 21 days, I found that omega-3 was safe and beneficial to take in moderate and controlled doses. I’m excited to do more work in the world of science and I’m sure this is just the start.

​Speaking of my peers, I’m beginning to realize that I will miss them a lot – even after a slow start in getting to talk to one another, eventually we all felt like friends working together and talking the hours away. I’m especially thankful to the entire TRIP family – my mentors, Dr. Austria, Dr. Valdes, Dr. Nick, who made me look forward to coming into the lab every Saturday, my TAs Hannah, Sabina, and Martie, who were always there to help me out and laugh with me, and like I mentioned my fellow TRIPsters.

​I’m eternally grateful to the experience gained during my time at TRIP (thanks to both WTHS and FCCC). Finally, reader, thank you for sticking with me throughout my vlogs. This isn’t the last “TRIP” I’ll take!

​Welcome back! With the punny title aside, it truly is weird to think that this is the last chance I’ll get to chat with you guys.
It’s unreal to think back to the fall, as I sat at my table with my parents looking over my shoulders, mulling over my application. I recall being so nervous during the interview that I was praying that the instructors interviewing me couldn’t hear my chair aggressively rattling as I shook. I remember having the dumbest smile on my face for a solid hour after hearing that I was accepted into TRIP. I remember being really, really conscious of how loud my pencil case was as it was jostled around in my bag as I hastily made my way to the classroom on the first day. I look back and see how far I’ve come- how much I’ve changed from the scared kid looking through the classroom windows at students and instructors I’d never met, and worrying about how many flies would scatter out of my hoodie if I dared take it off. I would say it’s hard to believe that I’m the same person, but truthfully? I’m not.

I developed my own research project! While unheard of in something like my high school chemistry class, the opportunity to ask and answer my own questions was amazing, to say the least. I immediately knew that I wanted to look into the benefits of goji berries- these little red fruits had been floating around in my bowl for as long as I remember, and I needed to know if they were any good. To sweeten the deal (pun not intended), I wanted to look into how the berries’ impact differed between adults and teens. I mean, do I really need to eat all of this stuff all the time? Turns out I don’t really need to. The positive effects of goji berries only really extended to adults, barely affecting teens. Furthermore, I found that only about 10 grams of berries was ideal- I suppose there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Not to stop you from indulging in a few extra, of course. 

My project would have never existed, were it not for the immense support I received. I figure that it’s only right to thank the instructors who found time to help me as nine other kids asked for the same, my fellow TRIPsters (I refuse to refer to them as merely my ‘labmates’) who I worked with to navigate the program, and the teaching assistants who guided me (and filmed my first Instagram reel) for putting so much time into making this program something that I’ll recommend to everyone I know. Possibly too much- one classmate asked me if I was being paid to advertise for TRIP. If only…

As this program comes to an end, I will forever hold the invaluable memories and crochet fly close to my heart. Although TRIP is now over, my journey has only begun. Sorry, I had to end this off with a good line.
I’ll see you later down the road.

​I can’t believe it’s already been a week since the symposium! I know I will continue to reminisce about the happy memories I made at the lab this past year. I met like-minded TRIPsters who share my passion for science, received guidance from nurturing mentors, and gained lifelong skills for critical thinking and presenting. I will especially miss working at my Claire-nado (a workspace of organized chaos consisting of three classroom desks pushed together—one desk for my vials and developmental data, one desk with my female fertility collection cages and a bucket of ice to count my flies, and one desk with a notebook to record my data)!

​For my independent project, I researched whether fiber could shield future generations from PFO. PFO is a type of "forever" chemical that has been used in consumer products worldwide since the 1950s for non-stick coatings and durability. Humans have nearly universal exposure to PFO through contamination of the world's water, soil, and food resources. PFO is linked to a plethora of health issues, such as reduced fertility, high blood pressure and cholesterol, developmental delays, and increased risk of cancer. 

​For each vial, I ran the female fertility assay to determine reproductive health, conducted the negative geotaxis assay to assess overall physical health, and collected developmental data. I used inulin (a common fiber supplement) as my source of high fiber. Once I completed my assays, I moved the parent flies and allowed them to lay offspring in new vials. The purpose was to determine whether the effects of PFO would be transmitted across generations and whether taking inulin could counteract these effects. I often stayed during both Session A and B to complete both my assays, given the number of vials I had and the length of my assays, but I hardly noticed. Time flies when you’re having fun! I concluded that while PFO decreases female fertility, physical health, and development, either the parents or both the parents and the offspring may have these effects counteracted by consuming inulin. I was beyond excited to present my results at the symposium, and I loved seeing everyone else’s research and results!

​Lastly, I would like to close my blog by giving a shout-out to my instructors, Dr. Austria, Dr. Valdés, and Dr. Maskalenko, alongside TAs Sabina, Hannah, and Martie, and my fellow TRIPsters, all of whom were invaluable in my learning process in the lab. Throughout the program, they were always willing to help out, provide advice, and answer any questions. I loved every second I was in the lab, even if I stayed for nearly the entire day! Participating in TRIP has fostered my love for science, and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. Thank you so much for everything! Although this leg of our journey may be over, I am excited to see where the next stop on everyone’s TRIP will be.