My Summer TRIP Experience by Manuel Villegas

​My experience at Summer TRIP has been nothing short of extraordinary. Having the opportunity to gain experience in a professional laboratory environment and work independently taught me that scientific research involves so much more than simply performing experiments and collecting data. Before joining the program, I wasn’t sure what to expect. While I had worked in my school’s science labs before, I had never conducted research in a professional laboratory or used model organisms like fruit flies to study how diet and environmental factors affect health. Although the journey (or should I say TRIP) was challenging at times, I left the program with a much deeper understanding of scientific research and a newfound confidence in my abilities as an aspiring scientist. 

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One of my favorite aspects of the TRIP program was the amount of independence we were given. Rather than having everyone follow the same set of instructions, each student selected their own question and dietary supplement to investigate. We were trusted to carry out our experiments independently while still having our teaching assistants available whenever we needed guidance. That balance between independence and support made the experience feel like legitimate research instead of a classroom laboratory. My project focused on whether a high-sugar diet affects fruit fly behavior, fertility, and microbiome composition, and whether holy basil could provide a protective effect. One of the most valuable lessons came from seeing that my results did not always match my predictions. Instead of proving my hypothesis correct, I learned that good research is about following the evidence rather than your own opinion. I also learned that research begins long before entering the laboratory. Reading background information on fruit flies, understanding each assay beforehand, and planning the experiment carefully were just as important as collecting and analyzing the data. The structure of the TRIP program was fundamental to our success. Between career talks, tours of the facilities at FCCC, and the demonstrations of each assay, I always felt prepared for the work ahead. 

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Of the four assays we performed, Negative Geotaxis, Centrophobism, Female Fertility, and the Microbiome Assay, my favorite was the Female Fertility Assay. While it was the most time-consuming because it involved anesthetizing the flies with CO2, transferring them into their collection cages, and later counting both the embryos and female flies, I found it to be the most rewarding. It was interesting to return two hours later and see that the female flies had laid dozens of embryos on the grape plates, then come back the following day to determine how many had successfully hatched. Performing the assay helped me become more confident and organized in the laboratory. Looking back, I can clearly see how much I improved throughout the week. Each day, I became more comfortable handling the flies, made fewer mistakes during live-transfers, and gained a better understanding of the techniques behind each assay. ​

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Another highlight of the program was the career talks. Dr. Valentine’s presentation resonated with me the most because he spoke honestly about facing setbacks in life and feeling out-of-place early on in his career. Hearing his story reminded me that uncertainty and self-doubt are common experiences, even among professionals. More importantly, it taught me that growth comes from being willing to learn, change, and seek help when necessary. 

​Beyond the laboratory, I also appreciate the friendly environment that the program created. Since there were only five of us, the experience felt incredibly personal. Dr. Austria and our teaching assistants, Izzy and Martie, were always willing to help us and made the lab a fun place to learn. Looking back, even the Instagram Reels they had us record, which felt pretty corny in the moment, became fun memories and remind me of how much I enjoyed being there. 

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Before Summer TRIP, I viewed research as a straightforward process of performing an experiment, collecting data, and analyzing the results. Now I understand that meaningful research begins with asking thoughtful questions, reading previous studies, designing careful experiments, and remaining open to unexpected outcomes. Experiments are followed by the equally important tasks of interpreting your findings and sharing them with others. Before participating in Summer TRIP, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to pursue within STEM. This experience has strengthened my interest in biological research and confirmed that I want to continue working in a laboratory. Summer TRIP taught me to be more curious, patient, and confident in my work. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the program, and I know the lessons I learned this summer will continue to shape my future as both a student and aspiring scientist.

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