Welcome Back by Janiya Bradley

I had a lot of fun on my second day in the lab. I really felt supported when I needed help making the dilutions and solutions. We sorted male and female flies using either CO2 or ice method. The CO2 method was a lot easier to work with. The ice method works just fine but you have to be a lot more careful with not getting the flies' wings wet because that will cause them to die in the long run. In addition, if they aren't fully on the ice they can start to wake up.  I also got to make grape plates. I felt like a scientist! Doing the math correctly really sets you up nicely to ensure that you can run your protocol smoothly.  I'm so glad that I took the opportunity to participate in this program. ​

I think that I'm going to test the impact of Sildenafil, otherwise known as Viagra, on my flies. I know it's a little bold but I'm really curious to see if it affects the reproductive system positively or negatively. I'm trying to think up another project, one that's not so straightforward. All I can think about is presenting my independent project and having  the word VIAGRA  in bold letters. ​

I really love the environment in the lab. I'm very productive when I'm there. I'd say that my lab buddies are Yailis and Charity. They are really helpful and I do see them 3 days out of the week. Charity is really helpful when I need a little extra explaining. She always tries her best to make sure I understand things. Yailis is also really helpful; her brain works in a different way. I like the way she can come up with her own solution to problems when the conventional way isn't working and she always has something funny to say. I hope to be able to get to know everyone else a bit better, too!