LTD Entry #3: Goodbye by Luke Jang

What a journey (or a TRIP?) it's been for the past couple of months. The weeks have flown by, and I’ve learned so much – from micropipetting to how to give flies head trauma (and killing some in the process...).

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​For my independent project, I tested whether omega-3 fatty acids could counteract the negative effects of head trauma on memory. I was initially nervous about the new memory assay I had designed with the help of Dr. Valdes, but it turned out to work perfectly! Week after week and assay after assay, the data began to fit together like puzzle pieces for my conclusion. I ended up finding that omega-3 can alleviate the effect of head trauma on memory! After quantifying developmental data, specifically the development of pupae in my replicates over 21 days, I found that omega-3 was safe and beneficial to take in moderate and controlled doses. I’m excited to do more work in the world of science and I’m sure this is just the start.

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​Eleven lab days and a ton of practice later, I presented my findings at the TRIP symposium at WTHS. It was so much fun both being able to present my work and seeing the things that my peers had accomplished during our time in the program.

​Speaking of my peers, I’m beginning to realize that I will miss them a lot – even after a slow start in getting to talk to one another, eventually we all felt like friends working together and talking the hours away. I’m especially thankful to the entire TRIP family – my mentors, Dr. Austria, Dr. Valdes, Dr. Nick, who made me look forward to coming into the lab every Saturday, my TAs Hannah, Sabina, and Martie, who were always there to help me out and laugh with me, and like I mentioned my fellow TRIPsters.

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​I’m eternally grateful to the experience gained during my time at TRIP (thanks to both WTHS and FCCC). Finally, reader, thank you for sticking with me throughout my vlogs. This isn’t the last “TRIP” I’ll take!