Do screens make you anxious? by Cade Jin

I chose to see how blue light affects flies...because it will help me get an idea of how blue light is affecting my life.

It definitely does not feel like I have been involved with TRIP for two months already. Since my first blog, I have presented the results of my first research project in a five minute talk with the class and have started working on my main project. Waking up early to go to the lab is nothing like waking up to go to school. Every week, I look forward to working in the lab to progress my independent project!
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The TRIP community is extremely friendly and supportive, and the guidance that Dr. Purdy and Dr. Leystra provide is invaluable. Even during the busiest days, it does not feel that stressful because you know that you have two experienced, understanding professionals who have your back. The other students here are also really great. Whenever someone from TRIP is done or ahead in their day, we offer to help each other with the repetitive hands-on work.

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​At first, I was not very confident with my independent research project because I did not know exactly how I was going to go about it, but my mentors helped me effectively articulate and map out my ideas. At first, I was just planning on studying the effects blue light emissions have on adult fly mood and energy levels. Since then, I have kept the same general idea but, instead of just testing adult flies flies that I have collected, I am testing adult flies that have grown in my vials from being just larvae and pupae. I chose to see how blue light affects flies throughout their entire life cycle rather than just their adult life because it will help me get an idea of how blue light is affecting my life. I am excited to continue working on and finishing my independent projects and I hope to see significant results in my study.