My TRIP Exploring! by Durdona Rahmonova

I joined TRIP Explore as a rising junior who was so sure what she wanted to do in life. I knew I had a future in psychiatric research, which of course means medical school and lots of science! At first, I signed up because it was a competitive STEM program, but it became so much more to me. Not only did TRIP confirm my interests, but it also established that I have a future in research among others like me. This blog reflects on my experience exploring TRIP!

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During the program, we worked with fruit flies to perform our experiments. I was scared before coming because I had assumed that the program would rely on my little to no previous knowledge of fruit flies and lab procedure. I was so incredibly grateful when I realized I was wrong. At the start of each day, after the career talks, we would receive a lecture about lab procedure. It included all key vocabulary and steps we would perform in the lab for that day. Not just that, all of the information we had to know for the assays and our schedule was in the Google Classroom before the next day! For a beginner who signed up for something I thought was going to be stressful and lonely, it ended up being one of the best group programs I’ve ever done. If you sign up, trust me that you will not be clueless coming out of the program, and you will come to love it as much as I did.

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Speaking about the career talks that were at the beginning of our schedule every day, all of the speakers had so much wisdom to share. Usually, when lectures are brought up, they are assumed to be boring and unengaging, but the talks we received were far from those adjectives. My favorite career talk was from Dr. Andres Correa. I won’t spoil what he said for any future TRIP participants, but his life advice was some of the best that you can hear. From a fluctuating career path to his experience with his family, I truly connected to what he was saying. I might only be 16, but I think I’ve changed what I wanted to be about twenty times now. However, seeing his success, that doesn’t need to be a bad thing. Life is constantly changing, and Dr. Correa knew how to find the best parts of each change. Another amazing career talk was given by Dr. Amanda Purdy, our very own TRIP founder. Her career path also fluctuated, but in the best ways possible. She always stayed true to herself, and made it clear that no matter what, her goal was to make an impact. Also, her talk was hilarious and engaging, furthering the fact that everyone at Fox Chase is so welcoming.

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Being a part of TRIP Explore was one of the best choices I’ve made by far. Not only were the professionals on site so friendly and passionate about their jobs, but my peers were also. I made amazing friends with everyone in my session and we’re even planning a reunion! I didn’t feel like I was forced to be with these people, but instead like I was hanging out with my friends during every assay we performed, and every lab tour we received. The atmosphere of the program was amazing, and I cannot stop talking about how I felt like I belonged. One of the most important parts of the program to me was the tour we got on the first day by Dr. Glenn Rall, the chief of academic affairs. This tour impacted me so much because it showed that TRIP wasn’t just about research, but also about showing a younger generation the community that can be found even when doing independent research. We saw multiple researchers who were friends with their neighbors, and a shop that was all about making the patients at Fox Chase comfortable. The people that you choose to surround yourself with are the most important choices you can make in life, and everyone at Fox Chase was worth choosing.

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My exploration of TRIP was worth everything and more. I knew I had a future in STEM, but I was worried about the lonely side of research. TRIP showed me that community can be found anywhere. Even if you’re doing independent research, we all thrive off of the connection we build with others. I felt like TRIP gave me the opportunity to see that in action. What seemed like a stressful and scary program turned into one of the best experiences of my life. I do think that the lessons I learned and wisdom I absorbed will affect me for the rest of my life, and certainly in the next decade when I’m pursuing higher education. Thank you for this experience, and for anyone wondering whether they should apply, go ahead. There’s no negative drawback to being a part of something like this.

- Durdona Rahmonova <33