My Experience at TRIP by Aniketh Gudi

Last week turned out to be the most eventful and memorable week of my summer. Going into the first day, I felt both excitement and nervousness as I had no idea whom I'd meet or exactly what activities I'd be doing. When I walked into the building, I immediately noticed my group consisted mostly of girls, along with only one other boy named Eleazar. Fortunately, Eleazar and I became good friends as we bonded over the fact that we were the only boys in the group. During the program, my research focused on how a high-sugar diet impacts fruit fly behavior. Some peers explored similar dietary questions while others studied stressors such as head trauma, which I found fascinating. It was really nice to discover how versatile fruit flies could be as a model organism for addressing diverse scientific inquiries. Overall, I think the structure of the TRIP program is good. Having our research early in the day gave us plenty of time to conduct experiments, analyze results, and troubleshoot any issues that arose. The various assays I learned were both intriguing and valuable. Prior to TRIP, I never imagined I'd be measuring female fertility or gut health in relation to diet, and these experiments opened my eyes to new ideas of what could be investigated. The thorough instruction provided on the first day was especially beneficial, teaching critical lab skills such as micropipetting and learning how to handle the fruit flies, both of which were essential throughout the week. Though initially challenging, mastering these techniques was deeply rewarding, especially handling the flies. I also found the career talks to be particularly valuable. They provided insight into succeeding in medical and scientific careers, and I gained a better understanding of how hospitals and research institutions operate. Ultimately, TRIP proved to be a wonderful experience, providing foundational knowledge and firsthand insight into scientific research. This program has strengthened my interest in pursuing future opportunities in science and has deepened my appreciation for research.