Hey readers!
I am writing this blog post immediately after watching the Cardinals lose to the LA Rams and drop to 1-3. My dad and I have resolved to stop watching games for the rest of the season... at least I'll have more time for AP Research! Unfortunately, this devastating loss was not the most embarrassing experience of my weekend.
On Friday afternoon, during a conference call with my research group, I was sharing my screen on Google Hangouts to explain how to analyze RBS spectra and create a compelling poster when the unexpected happened. As I readied myself to explain my insightful point about the data, my eyes widened with fear. A circle, greener than chloroplasts, with 3 curved lines resembling the convoluted endoplasmic reticulum of the endomembrane system (I honestly can't explain my desire to use cellular biology imagery right now) bounced up and down at the bottom of my screen.
A new black window covered up the picturesque poster I was displaying. My entire life flashed through my eyes as I realized the magnitude of what had just occurred. An accidental mouse-click had opened the beloved Spotify application, displaying to all viewers the infamous Hype/Ball playlist and the last song I was listening to by my favorite artist of the PRESENT (you all know who that is...): "I Got the Keys" by DJ Khaled, Jay Z, and (the one-and-only) Future. Stifled laughter from fellow interns echoed through speakers of my MacBook Pro, and I received 3 separate texts, 2 different Snapchats, and 1 Facebook message asking me if I knew I was still screen-sharing. I minimized the window quickly, and with it, my dignity.
Now that we've all been triggered thoroughly, I'm going to talk about the good, the neutral (not bad?), and the ugly about my research project.
I am writing this blog post immediately after watching the Cardinals lose to the LA Rams and drop to 1-3. My dad and I have resolved to stop watching games for the rest of the season... at least I'll have more time for AP Research! Unfortunately, this devastating loss was not the most embarrassing experience of my weekend.
On Friday afternoon, during a conference call with my research group, I was sharing my screen on Google Hangouts to explain how to analyze RBS spectra and create a compelling poster when the unexpected happened. As I readied myself to explain my insightful point about the data, my eyes widened with fear. A circle, greener than chloroplasts, with 3 curved lines resembling the convoluted endoplasmic reticulum of the endomembrane system (I honestly can't explain my desire to use cellular biology imagery right now) bounced up and down at the bottom of my screen.
A new black window covered up the picturesque poster I was displaying. My entire life flashed through my eyes as I realized the magnitude of what had just occurred. An accidental mouse-click had opened the beloved Spotify application, displaying to all viewers the infamous Hype/Ball playlist and the last song I was listening to by my favorite artist of the PRESENT (you all know who that is...): "I Got the Keys" by DJ Khaled, Jay Z, and (the one-and-only) Future. Stifled laughter from fellow interns echoed through speakers of my MacBook Pro, and I received 3 separate texts, 2 different Snapchats, and 1 Facebook message asking me if I knew I was still screen-sharing. I minimized the window quickly, and with it, my dignity.
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| I pressed the wrong KEY KEY KEY. |
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| No caption needed -- too good. |
- The Good: I am very confident about the grasp I have of the motivations and mechanisms behind HemaDrop™. Compiling sources, writing, and presenting about my research has really allowed me to understand why this research matters, how HemaDrop works, and what methods we can use to analyze its viability. Additionally, I am very happy with the current research question I wrote on Friday (What properties of high surface-energy coatings and surface topography allow HemaDrop™ to optimize uniformity and analyzability of solid films created by congealing microliters of blood on substrates?) and new way of looking at this research I worked on with Mrs. Haag and Dr. Herbots recently. I had unknowingly developed a set frame of mind that was stifling my ability to describe our research from the beginning and to a general audience. I am also thrilled with the potential methods I get to plan and undertake for my primary research, as I am so curious to see how HemaDrop™ samples respond to various analysis techniques and with different substrate properties. Finally, I am excited with the extensive support system I have through AP Research and the Herbots research group. As long as I stay on track and ahead of schedule, I will be able to reach out for help on any aspect giving me difficulty.
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| Jay Z: Cold and emotionless -- neutral. |
- The Neutral: I have no strong feelings about my time management this year so far, since I have been trying to stay ahead of schedule, and I have been pretty solid in that regard. This is an area I can definitely improve on though. Additionally, I am neutral about writing the literature review, since I am a little nervous about constructing it in a compelling way, but I am also really excited to get writing, since it will allow me to show my understanding of my research so far. I guess those balance out into neutral.
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| I couldn't find a better GIF for the ugly, so here's DJ Khaled for the sake of symmetry |
- The Ugly: I am slightly concerned about the number of possible combinations required to test in order to optimize HemaDrop and analysis techniques. Even though I am trying to pick and choose the analysis techniques based on sources in my literature review (describing limitations and advantages of different techniques), I am a little terrified about having to test all of these combinations and analyze the results. However, I think my question leaves some room for the potential result that I can't find the exact optimal conditions, since I am investigating the new field and I can't find all the answers. Also, I think studying and planning my methods carefully will also help this process.
I hope you enjoyed this more light-hearted post than the last few weeks, since I definitely enjoyed writing it! And that's the KEY after all.
Here's to moving on to FUTURE fun and research...
Cheers,
Yash
Yash
(803)
