SF2UF Bridges to Baccalaureate Summer Session 1

As a current SF2UF intern, I could not be more grateful for the opportunities presented to me. Not only have I learned a lot through working in the lab with Dr. Maurice Swanson, but I am also getting more experience with animals. I am an aspiring veterinarian and I have been given an incredible opportunity through the SF2UF Program.

This is the first summer session of the program. During the first four weeks of the program, my first priority was to become comfortable in a laboratory setting and develop rudimentary skills. I practiced micro-pipetting and electrophoresis, skills needed to work in the lab efficiently. Under the supervision of Dr. Gabriela Waschewsky, I learned how to use certain instruments properly and practiced different calculations while working in a small group. During this time, Dr. Julian had the program scheduled so the interns would spend half the day working with Dr. Waschewsky and spend the other half of the day adjusting to our chosen research buildings.

The second half of the program had the interns scheduled to attend our designated research buildings and work with our mentors. Dr. Swanson has allowed me to learn from Mrs. Myrna Sternberg. With Myrna, I have learned about the different strains of mice and the importance of awareness in the lab. Mrs. Myrna familiarized me with terms including PCR, Taq, and other genotyping terms. Around June 20th, I was granted access to the mouse colonies. With Myrna, I was able to learn about weaning and mating of mice. I also learned about the organization and structure of the documentation of the mice.

Through the SF2UF program, I am able to further my experience with animals and gain experience in research. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and thank full for those who are helping me achieve my goal of veterinary medicine.