In the summer of 2025, I had the opportunity to work at the University of Delaware’s Health Science Complex. It was a dream come true, as I was placed in the exact field of study I have wanted to pursue for a while, ever since I realised the deep connection between my mathematics major and my brain sciences concentration at Wabash College. This was also the first time I discovered that working on what you love most can propel you forward in both competence and motivation (as I walked two miles to work and back every day without feeling exhausted or fatigued).
Although this year was tough for international students in my case due to massive academic funding cuts, Dr. Cashaback’s lab welcomed me independently after I was unfortunately not selected for a formal program due to matching and funding constraints. Within two months in the lab, I learned from and worked passionately on graduate training lectures in biomechanics, decision-making, mathematical modeling, and computing. Despite being a visiting undergraduate, all the post-docs, senior PhD students, and my professor were extremely supportive of my work and patient with my questions. Despite my academic background, which has been my unique entry point into brain science, it does not mean I don’t feel out of my depth at times. Neuroscience is a broad, interdisciplinary field, and there were many lab meetings and discussions where I felt completely lost. I struggled to understand certain procedural concepts and the role of mathematical models in the analysis. I was constantly talking to my lab mate, trying to make sense of it all. Then, one day in mid-June, he quietly sent me a 2008 article on Slack titled, “The Importance of Stupidity in Scientific Research”. At that moment, I stopped rambling and started to appreciate my own “stupidity” and disappointment. I realised that acknowledging my ignorance was the first step, it showed me exactly what I needed to learn and gave me a clear direction for improvement.
As a Wabash student, I have received immense support and countless opportunities for development. When I look back at the person that I was during my first summer compared to who I am now, I can see huge changes and positive development in my work ethic, competence, ambition, and, of course, my appearance! This blog post is not only a summary of my summer but of my entire junior year at Wabash. I want to thank the College for the study abroad opportunity and the Dill Fund, which provided tremendous help with my housing in the costly Wilmington-Newark area. I also want to give an honorable mention to Dr. Schmitzer-Torbert, Dr. Turner, and Ms. Amy Weir for all of their support with reference letters, recommendations, advice, and help.
