Flying Into the Next Direction: My Independent Project by Caroline Moritz

As the weeks have flown by, so have our introductory experiments for TRIP. Like the very fruit flies I experimented with, I was aimless in my next steps for the following process after the first experiment : my independent project. Previously, my constructors had given each TRIP participant the option to choose a question that would be the primary focus of the first few weeks of TRIP. Conducting an experiment using the Open-Field Test, which was based on evaluating intestinal inflammation, and whether or not it affects adult fly anxiety. Using the stressor of soap, and experimenting with the properties of licorice, which is a drug that contains anti-inflammatory and anxiety-relieving components, prompted the question and focus for the following weeks of my participation during this program. ​

Are you a fan of soda? Or many of the sweet treats that are consumed on the daily, such as M&Ms, Jolly Ranchers, and Skittles? Well, with my obsession with these sugar-inducing consumables, I consider myself a firm believer in the phrase, sugar brings happiness. But, is it just sugar in these delights that causes energy-boosts? Red 40, or scientifically known as Allura Red AC, is a synthetic food dye that we consume on a regular basis. Thrown in with a multitude of other ingredients, the true effect of Red 40 is lost to those wider-known properties, such as sugar. With these compelling thoughts in mind, my curiosity with Red 40 has made its presence known in my independent research question for this internship, which focuses on the effects of Red 40 on fruit flies, and whether or not it can cause anxiety. Licorice, with its anxiety-relieving properties, is another aspect of my research question, and will hopefully quench my curiosity for why the aftermath of sugar rushes isn’t so enjoyable. 

Overall, with exciting new nicknames and a wide variety of lab materials at my exposure, I’m excited to see what I’m capable of when going off on my own and conducting my own experiment, with the help and support of my fellow TRIP participants, and my instructors. II cannot wait to see the direction that my individual experiment takes me, and the exciting stories that my next few weeks being a part of TRIP will bring!