"Flyest" TRIP Ever! by Mahi Patel

From not knowing how to hold a micropipette to being able to sort 60 flies in less than 5 minutes, it sure has been a TRIP from week 1 to week 11.

Who knew that a TRIP to Target would strike inspiration for a research project that sparked a newfound love for science?  When it came time to propose a plan for my independent project, I asked if Olly vitamins could counteract stress. Through the Open Field Test and Social Space Assay, I reached a conclusion that Olly vitamins do, in fact, overturn the stress caused by a lack of sleep!

In my first blog, I wrote, “On the other side of these eleven weeks in the lab, I hope to come out with an even stronger passion for a STEM-based career.”  Here I am on the other side… I am confident that I want to pursue a career that allows me to endlessly repeat the cycle of question meets answer.  TRIP showed me that research is a happy medium of independent and collaborative work, which I love.

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Well, time really does “fly” when you are having fun!  Because of the “flyest” instructors, Dr. Leystra and Dr. Purdy, and TAs, Z. Nadija, and Matt, I was able to gain invaluable experience, whilst also having a good time in the lab!  I am incredibly thankful for the knowledge I gained about fruit flies, the new friendships, and the mentorship that TRIP has offered me!