Day 3- Already on the Grind (PUR II Biochemistry)

It’s the third day and our schedules are full of lectures, labs, work, and socializing! Today was the first day we were independent to go to our scheduled classes and labs so we really got to practice our time management and experienced a bit of what college life will be like. 

We started the morning in the lab to prepare our cultures for large-scale protein expression. As someone who has almost no wet lab experience, it was very overwhelming reading through lab instructions when I barely knew what each tool was and why we were doing certain procedures. However, all of the professors and TAs were very supportive and helpful in explaining each step and I never once felt like I couldn’t learn something.

After that, we headed off to the lecture room where Dr. Avard went in depth about protein structure using 3D printed models to further our understanding and Dr. Guei lectured about recombination DNA expression. The lectures were fast-paced but both professors made the lectures interactive and engaging. 

We had a quick lunch and went straight to the lab again! Each day we have been learning a new lab technique and it’s been really exciting to see the progression of our work come together for our larger project of designing a drug to inhibit a fungus. It really is like putting together a puzzle.

Since today was Wednesday, we had a fun activity to break up the week and bond with the other participants. We played the Nintendo game Overcooked (great for testing teamwork btw), played outdoor sports, and made flower crowns! I loved getting to know everyone and was especially fascinated by all the differences in where everyone lived. Even though we had so many differences in culture, hobbies, and personalities, I am 100% certain when I say these people will become my lifelong colleagues and friends.

-Olivia