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Regular updates from students in TRIP

Let's Take a TRIP Into My Life by  Rohan Ramprasad

4/3/2023

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Hello everyone, my name is Rohan Ramprasad and I am very excited to be a part of TRIP @ WTHS’23! 
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I am a current Junior at The Downingtown STEM Academy in the Health & Medicine Pathway, and one day, I hope to work in the medical field. Outside of school I am a part of numerous health care extracurriculars including being a an certified Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Room/Intensive Care Unit Volunteer, and even recently founded a passion project I called Project Save a Life, which aims to educate communities on basic critical care medicine practices like CPR, AED, and First Aid, all free of cost, to mitigate the morbidity rates resulting from traumatic injuries. I am fascinated with the fields of trauma medicine and public health and their interaction, creating a niche field of medicine where I can not only indulge in the adrenaline rush of critical care when necessary, but also in finding ways to mitigate the need for such care via preventive health care measures. This exact reason is why I decided to join TRIP.  Before TRIP, I never sat down to realize the importance of lab research in its relation to patient care. ​
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Apart from my life in academia, I love to play basketball whenever I get the chance. I played High School Basketball for Downingtown East for 2 years and continue to play pick-up hoops in my community. I also keep in touch with my cultural heritage by playing the classical “Carnatic Flute”, a 8-hole bamboo instrument originating hundreds of years ago in South India. My favorite cuisine apart from Indian food is Mexican food, and I love eating Chipotle whenever possible.

This past Saturday we had our first day where we learned the basics of lab procedures like micropipetting, the math involved with diluting solutions, and even making fly food for our upcoming experiments! I have been assigned the question: How do rhodiola and head trauma affect anxiety? This is a preliminary research assignment before we synthesize our own research question as this assignment topic gets us started with laboratory procedures and how to run an experiment. I am very excited for next Saturday and the opportunity to finally examine fruit flies when drugs and stressors are involved.  I can not wait for these next couple weeks with Dr. Purdy and Dr. Leystra and for what they have planned for us! 
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Blog 1 by Venkat Devabhakthuni

3/30/2023

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Hello, my name is Venkat Devabhakthuni and I am a junior from Downingtown East High School. I am extremely excited for what is to come during my time at TRIP and I look forward to becoming a part of this amazing community. In school I am an active member of the Technological Student Association (TSA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). I have competed in the state conferences of each of these events and placed multiple times.

Aside from school, I am a huge fan of the Eagles and have been playing soccer my entire life. I play for both my school teams and for the Lionville Soccer Club. Additionally, I love robotics, and I participate in VEX robotics competitions all over the country.
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I joined TRIP because I wanted to challenge myself and to gain real world experience that is driven by me. The idea of creating my own clinical study on a topic of my own choosing sounded too good to be true! I am extremely excited for what is to come in my TRIP with all of you and am grateful to become a part of this community.
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About Me by Henry Bai

3/29/2023

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Hey everyone! My name is Henry Bai and I’m 16 years old. I go to CB South in Warrington, PA. I’m excited to be in TRIP because I want to further my knowledge of environmental sciences, specifically the impact of different environmental conditions on organism reaction to particulate matter. Prior to the TRIP program, I’ve also conducted an independent research project on business ethics and sustainability over the Summer in 2022. I thought that was really interesting, which was partly why I applied to TRIP. 
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In my free time, I like to play basketball, workout with friends, as well as take pictures of just about anything- mainly nature, sunsets, and cityscapes. I also really enjoy skiing, but unfortunately because I don’t have much time this junior year, I haven’t been able to go up to any mountains at all. In past years, I would at least go 2-3 times, the furthest of which was Elk Mountain. In the future, it would really be a fantastic experience to ski in either Colorado or Utah.

In my first TRIP session, it was exciting to meet people with the same passions for science as me. The icebreaking activities were fun, being able to learn so much more about ourselves, others, and the world. In the introductory lab, I’m studying “How do melatonin and disrupted circadian rhythms affect mood?”, which was one of the top picks I had. I’m looking forward to what I learn in this introductory experiment, especially because it reminded me of my AP Biology class, where we also worked with fruit flies. After an exciting first day, I’m looking forward to what’s to come! 
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The Beginning of My TRIP by Anoosha Shukla

3/28/2023

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Hello! My name is Anoosha Shukla, a junior at Wissahickon High School. I am super excited to be a part of TRIP’23@WTHS. 
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As a child, matching memory games and solving puzzles were my favorite. Creating the connections and finding patterns were thrilling. These early experiences set the gears of my curiosity for STEM in motion. In school, I challenge myself with accelerated math and science classes, which always turn out to be my favorite. I find it exciting to connect the concepts learned in school with other parts of my life. For example, my knowledge of physics circular motion helps me understand the moves in my ice-skating routines, and mathematical sequences have enhanced my understanding of rhythm as an Indian classical dancer. 
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At school, I am the vice-president of our science club. This means I get to organize and run monthly-experiments. Next month, I have organized a field trip for the science club to visit Gwynedd Mercy University’s science laboratory. I am also vice-president of the Debate and Speech team. I compete in Public Forum (2x2), alongside my debate partner. Debate is one of my favorite activities because of the adrenaline rush I get before the rounds! I am also a proud co-founder and co-president of my school’s Indian Cultural Association. This year, we had a successful Garba event. Over 150 students, parents, and community members joined us for a traditional Indian social dance. Currently, we are in the process of organizing our second annual Holi event!

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Outside of school, I am a synchronized ice skater and classical dancer. I have been doing synchro (the nickname) for 8 years and I love it. I am currently skating on Team Delaware at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club. This season, we won first place at a competition in Anaheim, California! As for dance, I learn Kathak, a form of Indian Classical dance. I dance alongside my mom which is always a great mother-daughter bonding experience. Recently, I flew to Milwaukee to be a part of Hip-Hop DNA, a production designed to explore the links of hip-hop to various cultures. These special interests serve as my creative outlet and I cherish every moment of practicing dance or being on the ice.

I applied to TRIP to gain exposure to laboratory work and build more connections within scientific topics. On Day 1 of TRIP, I learned how to use pipettes, pipets, and micropipettes! I also made four vials of fly food (constant, drug only, stressor only, drug and stressor). These four vials will help me study how black cohosh and a high sugar diet will affect female fertility in Drosophila melanogaster. Black cohosh is a species of flowering plant, native to North America. Native Americans used the root of this plant to relieve menstrual cramps and menopause symptoms. As someone who is interested in women’s health, I am curious to find out the results of this research. In addition to these foundational skills, I also got a vial containing about 30 fruit flies to take home! The vial is living on top of my desk  - it is a pretty unique desk decoration! Just from the first day in the lab, I can already tell I will love this “trip”. From being around naturally curious students to learning from incredible instructors and instructors assistants, I feel like this experience will be equally enriching and rewarding.
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I Hope My TRIP Doesn't Fly By Too Fast by Daniel Lee

3/27/2023

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Hi all, my name is Daniel and I'm currently a junior in Wissahickon High School! To tell you a bit about myself, I've lived in Pennsylvania for my entire life with my mother, father, and little sister. Both of my parents were born in South Korea, with my mother originating from Seoul and my father being from Jeolla-do. My parents both moved to the States around the ages of 12 (mother) and 30 (father) and married in '05! Around the age of 11 my family and I moved from Haverford to Blue Bell, where we still currently live. I’m really proud of my Korean heritage and it's been a major part of my life, including the rich history, fun traditions, and the amazing food!
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In school I participate in a handful of activities. A couple worth mentioning are Key Club, Asian Student Association, Mock Trial, and Junior Class Committee. But if I had to underscore one, it would definitely be tennis. While I love the sport and the game itself, I adore the progression even more and the changes you undergo as an athlete and person! Throughout the game, it's inevitable that you face defeat, whether it comes about by making too many critical errors or simply just going up against an overwhelming stronger opponent. It’s important to efficiently learn from your losses in order to come back stronger and smarter. I make it my mission to never step onto the court fearing a loss, always reminding myself of the importance of losing and learning from defeat. It's even better when you have loads of fun all along the way!

I’ve included below an awesome quote from my all-time favorite player. "If you don't lose, you can't enjoy the victories. I have to accept both things. Losing is not my enemy, fear of losing is my enemy." - Rafael Nadal

I applied to TRIP to broaden my knowledge of laboratory research and wanted to get a feel for a biology-related career.

I applied to TRIP to broaden my knowledge of laboratory research and wanted to get a feel for a biology-related career. I was drawn into the unique personal project aspect of the program, allowing me a large scope of freedom to experiment, while being able to bounce ideas off of my amazing instructors and peers. I got to know a bunch of new friends and learned how to use some pretty expensive equipment like micropipettes. This past Saturday I even learned how to prepare yummy fly food! For my kickoff experiment I will be learning how Valerian and a high sugar diet affect the fruit fly's anxiety levels. Although I've never used Valerian before, simply learning about how certain dietary factors influence one's behavior is really intriguing to me. Isn't learning about behavior so exciting? I have no clue as to what my main individual project is going to be later on but I know I'm going to love it every step of the way!
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A TRIP into Scientific Research by Arushi Vignesh

3/25/2023

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Hey everyone! I am Arushi Vignesh, a sophomore at Conestoga High School. As a STEM enthusiast and aspiring scientist, being able to perform independent research on a topic of my choice to answer a question fascinates me. I am involved in TRIP to combine my passion for science with my curiosity about real-world events to perform hands-on research. I am very excited to spend the next few months exploring life as a research scientist at TRIP!

In school, I am involved in Science Olympiad, Robotics, and am co-president of the Girl Up chapter at my school/community. Girl Up is an international organization dedicated to improving girls’ rights to STEM education and expanding girls’ opportunities for leadership. Outside of school, I am a badminton player and have been playing since I was 7. I also randomly developed an interest in coding a few years ago and have since learned Python and Java.

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After noticing the gender gap in programming and computer science, my friends and I started an initiative in my community called Magenta Programmers. We provide free coding workshops to girls in middle school in order to encourage them to gain an interest in computer science. In my free time, I like hanging out with friends, watching Breaking Bad on Netflix, and eating Chick-Fil-A (yes, I know, not the healthiest option). 
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Yesterday was my first in-lab day at TRIP. Although I have performed science experiments in school before, I have never been in a … research lab. I got to learn about and use equipment that I had never heard of before, for example, a micropipette. I got to brush up on some math skills (always fun) while doing conversion and dilutions in order to get the correct amount of a substance. And the best part, I got assigned my first experimental question: How do black cohosh and disrupted circadian rhythms affect female fertility? To prepare for this experiment I learned how to make fly food and add the correct amount of drug and stressor. I am amazed at how much I learned in the first day alone and am excited for what the rest of this program entails!

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Embarking on the TRIP: An Introduction by Shiven Patel

3/23/2023

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Welcome! My name is Shiven Patel, and I am a junior at Garnet Valley High School. Ever since I was a child, I have had a passion for science. I am fascinated with science's "unknown" aspect and how much there is still to discover about the world. Additionally, I like to learn about how the world works and why objects and animals  tend to act the way they do!
 In school, I am a student involved in several clubs and organizations, such as Science Olympiad, Math Club, and Chess Club. These activities allow me to explore my science, mathematics, and strategic thinking interests. In particular, I enjoy playing chess in my free time because it requires me to think ahead and anticipate my opponent's moves. In addition, the game has infinite possibilities, and there is always something new to learn and discover. This is a mindset that I carry with me in all areas of my life, as I am constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities for growth.
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​Outside of school, I have several passions to which I devote my time. One of these is playing tennis with my brother and friends, which I have been doing for several years. I am a member of the Varsity School Tennis team and am very competitive! Another passion of mine is spending time with my family. I come from a close-knit family, and we enjoy going on vacations. This past summer, we traveled to Turks and Caicos. The mesmerizing view and time spent with my family were gratifying. We also love to play games and explore new places and foods together! Finally, I am committed to giving back to the community. For the past few months, I have been working at Kumon, where I help children in elementary and middle school become proficient in math and reading. This work is fulfilling because it allows me to use my skills to make a positive impact on others.

I joined the TRIP Initiative because of my strong passion for science. I am  excited to work with a wonderful group of people and conduct my research! I am grateful for this opportunity and can not wait for what the future has in store for me!
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TRIPping Into TRIP by Ethan Kang

3/22/2023

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Hello everyone! My name is Ethan and I’m a freshman at Garnet Valley High School. I'm eagerly passionate about the sciences (especially birds) and want to pursue something in the medical field—a helpful medical excursion summer camp from the CCEDC that I recently had the opportunity to attend helped assure me about that notion a little more. I’m really excited to learn more and develop my skills in a professional lab setting. When I heard about TRIP from my brother’s prom date, I knew I had to apply. TRIP offers a chance to experiment with my ideas and potentially discover something in science, which appealed to me. Even if I don’t discover anything groundbreaking, I will still learn a lot. After an interview and a few anxious weeks of waiting, I auspiciously got accepted into TRIP! I hope that this will solidify my decision that I thoroughly enjoy the medical field or science. 
Aside from my passion for science, I also have a bit of an obsession with birds. I spend much of my free daylight hours trotting around various parks and trails counting, photographing, and audio recording birds. Even some of the nighttime hours I spend listening to Nocturnal Flight Calls during migration and for hooting (or screeching) owls. I also enjoy participating  in rare bird chases of birds reported by the local “birders.” Right now, the Grey Catbird earns the title of my most beloved bird—the adorable “meows” and curious attitudes of this common breeding bird captured me the most.  At school, I’m involved in Science Olympiad, the Future Medical and Science Professionals club, and am currently in the process of launching a Birding Club.
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Grey Catbird (Ethan's Favorite Bird)
I’m grateful for this fantastic experience and want to see where it leads me!
My TRIP began on Saturday after an hour-long ride of anticipation. When I arrived, I certainly wasn’t disappointed!  I met eight like-minded individuals who share my enthusiasm for science, as well as two graciously supportive and knowledgeable instructors, Dr. Purdy and Dr. Leystra. They taught us how to use a micropipette properly, and helped us calculate my solutions properly and mix the solutions accurately. These tangible activities stood out to me since they are scarcely taught in a classroom setting. Our session ended all too soon, but not before we took home a curious vial of flies to study daily. I’m thrilled to compare my observations with my fellow students and carry out my experiments in the coming weeks. I’m grateful for this fantastic experience and want to see where it leads me!
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Once In A Lifetime by Anne Pallozzi

3/21/2023

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 Hello! My name is Anne Pallozzi and I’m 16 years old. I currently attend school at William Tennent High School, where I am a sophomore. I applied to TRIP this year not only because I’m very interested in science (specifically genetics), but also because I have a family connection to Fox Chase Cancer Center. My mother has been a patient there for years, and the doctors there helped to save my mother’s life when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I will forever be grateful for this because it both kept my mother here with me and sparked my interest in becoming a geneticist and working to help make lives better for thousands of people like my family. This is ultimately why I applied to TRIP; it will be an amazing learning experience and bring me one step closer to helping others.

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When I’m not in school, I’m probably busy doing one of my countless other activities. Some of my favorites are being a class officer, spinning flags (and rifles!) in my school’s marching band, reading, working as the assistant to the director in my school’s musicals, and so much more. I am also the junior secretary for my school’s Science National Honor Society and a member of the Health Science Exploration Club at Tennent. In addition to all of that, I’ve also been playing the viola for about 8 years! 
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I loved my first day in the lab and I can’t wait for next Saturday to come! My favorite thing we did was definitely when we learned how to use micropipettes. Holding such an integral, and also expensive, piece of science machinery made me feel like this is what I was meant to do. The micropipette fit perfectly into my hand and using it felt almost natural.
 Science is definitely going to be a part of my future!
 Science is definitely going to be a part of my future! Also deserving of mention is the vial of fruit flies now sitting on my dining room table. I think it’s totally awesome. My parents, not so much. I’m so excited to see where TRIP takes me in this once in a lifetime opportunity!
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A TRIP Down Memory Lane by Nicholas Mento

3/16/2023

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Hello, my name is Nicholas Mento. I am 15 years old and I am a Sophomore at William Tennent High School in Warminster, PA. I hope to be an aerospace engineer. I am interested in engineering because math and science are my two favorite subjects and I wanted a career that let me use my passion for both. I wanted to be involved in TRIP because it seemed like a great opportunity to have hands-on experience and improve my knowledge. In my spare time I enjoy playing strategy board games with my friends and younger brother, as well as  watching Philadelphia sports teams. I also enjoy traveling with my family to new places and playing with my dog 
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At my high school, I tend to stay busy with numerous extracurricular activities. I am the President of my school’s Environmental Club. Last year for this club, I was in charge of planting 200 trees in our community. I do Lincoln Debate for my school’s debate team as well as having played Soccer and participating in Student Government. I am also an anchor on my school’s announcements, the Treasurer for both Athletic Council and my grade level officers. As for honors societies I am the Vice President of SNHS, and a member of both NHS and Mu Alpha Theta. I also compete in the IAC National Science Bee Championships and Ignite STEM competitions. I also enjoy giving back to people in need in my community. I started my own fundraiser and raised over $1000 from my church to help my local food bank. Also, when I appeared on the local TV-show Class-H-Room I donated a portion of the winnings to help people in Ukraine.  I enjoy being involved and staying busy because it allows me to meet many new people and forge new friendships. I never would have met any of my best friends if I wasn’t as involved. 
Finally, I look forward to TRIP this year because not only is it a great opportunity and experience to learn more, but I get to meet new people from different schools and backgrounds and connect with them and forge friendships. 

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