This summer I assisted Dr. Burton in his research of Aeolosoma, a species of segmented worms. When I applied for the internship, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I wanted to apply for a position that would help me build close relationships with my peers and professors. I was fascinated when I heard one of my fraternity brothers describe his experience working one-on-one with a professor on campus. I applied to the same internship and was happy to receive the position.
My research this summer consisted mainly of investigative experiments on Aeolosoma, which is a relatively unknown species of segmented worms. My strict attention to detail was put to the test while performing experiments since the worms were microscopic. The most difficult part of the research was adding and removing different solutions to the worm samples without destroying any of them. Over the weeks, I learned how to consistently perform successful experiments on these tiny creatures. As my research progressed, my experiments got more complex, so I was constantly pushed to maintain attention to detail while following and executing steps. I was able to successfully complete chemical stains very quickly and therefore could progress to much more detailed protocols. Towards the end of my internship, I was able to even mark worms with two separate stains that had never been combined.
My final experiment provided interesting results that allowed me to formulate a clear hypothesis regarding the subject matter. I believe the strengths that helped me the most were my perseverance and attention to detail. There is even a chance that I will be a co-author in a research paper involving this species in the next few years. This internship helped me to build a close relationship with Dr. Burton as well as my lab partner. I also built up some strong relationships with other peers that spent time on campus over the summer. I am so thankful to Dr. Burton for helping me complete my research in a relaxed but successful manner.
