Let's FLY Through My Life by Anjali Verma

Hello! My name is Anjali Verma and welcome to my life…

​I am currently a rising sophomore at Pennridge High School and live in Bedminster, PA. I am thrilled to be a part of TRIP@TU’22! I initially applied to the TRIP Initiative hoping to be selected for a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on-research experience and because I am motivated to learn more about pursuing the field of medicine.

It is rare when you walk in the room (of complete strangers!)  and you instantly have a connection with them, that is what yesterday’s first day of TRIP felt like! We are all radiating with passion that comes with learning, excited to learn more about anything and everything that comes our way. 

I didn’t mix the food with the drug properly, but that was where I truly got to see the beauty in failure— when I picked myself back up.

Yesterday may have only been our first day, but we have learned so much more about ourselves, others, and the world around us. We explored how to use a pipette and a micropipette (an instrument I didn’t even know existed until TRIP) and mixed our own fruit fly food for our Introductory Project. My project will focus on, “How does Rhodiola and head trauma affect the mood of a Drosophila melanogaster (also known as the fruit fly)?” The first time around, I didn’t mix the food with the drug properly, but that was where I truly got to see the beauty in failure— when I picked myself back up. I was already immersed into new content such as calculating solutions and dilutions, and it is amazing to see how much you are able to learn in such a short amount of time. Not to mention, I now have fruit flies living on the mantle in my family room to observe over the week.

Along with school work, I love being involved in my school and community. You can find me in the pool as a swimmer (butterfly is my favorite) and on the field as my school's varsity lacrosse goalie (although sometimes, I am still afraid of the ball!). I am also passionate about American Sign Language and immersing myself in Deaf Culture through making music more accessible. Outside of athletics, I am involved in the band and choir ensembles at my school, our debate team, Student Council, Mini-THON, and as a partner in Unified Sports! Next year, I will serve as Officer at Large in our chapter of Key Club, a Chief Science Officer (a class representative that aims to bridge STEM into the community) as well as the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils 2023 State President (currently president-elect)! I am excited to be working on a Statewide Mental Health Initiative in schools to be implemented next year through PASC!

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I have always been excited about science, so when I was Googling summer science programs I instantly fell in love with the TRIP Initiative. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to apply (especially after working with fruit flies in class this year)! I am absolutely thrilled to have the honor to collaborate with young minds that share the same passion for science that I do! I hope to go into a STEM career and this is such an amazing opportunity to explore my interests, and learn and grow as a scientist!Thank you for reading, I can’t wait to document this 5-week journey and be a part of this already so memorable of an experience. I am so grateful to be a part of the TRIP family!