The TRIP That Changed My Summer by Darwin Liu

The 2026 TRIP Explore program was definitely the highlight of my summer. Considering the rest of my summer was about as exciting as watching paint dry, that's saying something. But even if my summer had been packed with unforgettable moments, I know TRIP will remain as one of the most engaging and enjoyable experiences I’ve had. 
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Although five days may seem a little short to leave such a lasting impression, TRIP proved that meaningful experiences are not measured by their length, but by what you take away from them. In just one week, I gained friends, new lab skills (I can gas flies now!), and met mentors who inspired me. 

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Every morning began with a career talk, introducing us to a different person and their unique journey into research. By the end of the program, I had met five different mentors just from career talks. The talks themselves were interesting, though the one that resonated with me the most had to have been Dr. Valentine. He reminded us that uncertainty is something everyone experiences. One of his famous lines that still stays with me: “The only thing you can be certain about is being uncertain.” That message changed the way I approach new experiences. As a first-time TRIP student, I was uncertain about everything. However, Dr. Valentine helped me realize that uncertainty is a natural part of learning and growing.

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The learning did not stop there. Every day after the career talks, we toured all kinds of different facilities. The staff were welcoming, encouraged us to ask questions, and made each tour interactive, which I thought (and still think) was pretty cool. 

After the tours, Dr. Austria gave her extremely quick lectures right before lunch. Lunch became one of the best opportunities to get to know my fellow TRIPsters. Between jokes, stories, and other nonsense, those conversations truly turned a group full of strangers into friends.

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While the morning talks and tours expanded my perspective, I had the most fun in the lab. Throughout the week, we completed different assays (which I went into detail in my final presentation; go check it out!), learned new lab skills, filmed Instagram Reels, and took so so so many pictures. My favorite moments from this program have to have been the more social part of it. I mean, I even got a hashtag under a post for me (#Darwin)! Being front and center in the final group photos and joking around with my fellow TRIPsters showed me that the program wasn’t just special because of the knowledge I gained or its prestige; it was special because of the people, the connections, and the moments of fun everyone had. 

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Looking back, I realize that the opportunity to go on a week-long TRIP this summer is something I will always be grateful for. What started as just another summer program became an experience I will never forget. On the last day, it was clear as day how much this program meant to everyone; none of us wanted to leave, and we all stayed longer than usual just to enjoy our final day together. In a final conclusion, I want to thank Dr. Austria, Izzy, and Martie for making TRIP Initiative such a memorable and enjoyable experience for me.

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