Hey everyone! My name is Milana Kansky, and I am a sophomore at Palomar Community College currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. I am thrilled to be currently working in Dr. Jameson's lab and I am excited to be sharing what a week looks like as an REU student. I have been fortunate enough to have been placed on a project with a great mentor, Jake, who has been helping me get acclimated in the lab and familiar with the project. Dr. Jamesons research is focused on Gamma Delta T cells. Jake and I's project is working to try and possibly uncover a possible biomarker for Alopecia Areata. This week I have performed my own experiment using our cryostat machine to cut our Alopecia Areata (AA) skin sample into thin sheets. After we stain the skin to see specific individual cells under our IF microscope. We take pictures with the microscope and then can quantify the cells to see if there are correlations and interactions between certain cells. I feel very fortunate to be a part of Dr. Jameson's lab and I am excited to continue working with Jake and the rest of the lab members. Wednesday we were lucky enough to speak with PhD candidates that could share some wisdom to the rest of us and give us tips and tricks for grad school. Their advice was real and authentic which was refreshing to hear. On Thursday Dr. Read invited the REU cohort to join her lab in picking up some samples from the Salton Sea. It was definitely an experience I will not forget. We were hit with 104-degree weather, quicksand, and a very unpleasant smell. Despite all the heat we joked and had a great time picking up the samples and enjoyed the beautiful lake. On our way back we stopped in Julian for some delicious pie and ice-cream. When I’m not working in the lab I like to go to the beach with friends and come back to my apartment and cook dinner. This program has been a joy to be a part of and I am so grateful to be a part of it. <3
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Hi! My name is Alexis Anike, and I am a senior Biology major on the Pre-Med track. I attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., but I was born in Minnesota. Post-graduation, I intend to travel abroad before pursuing an MD-PHD! This summer I am working in Dr. Read’s lab conducting research on Microcoleus Anatoxicus. Microcoleus Anatoxicus is a toxic alga that forms blooms or thick mats in freshwater systems. These toxic blooms have led to numerous canine deaths globally. I am currently attempting to extract its RNA. RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is the messenger molecule that converts the information stored in DNA into functional proteins. If I am able to extract the RNA, I will hopefully be able to determine what genes are involved in producing these toxins. It’s been a little bit of a trial and error process, as Microcoleus Anatoxicus has a very thick sheath of polysaccharides and lipids, making it hard to extract RNA from it. Outside of the lab, I have had the chance to explore California for the first time. This week, the entire REU group celebrated Juneteenth in downtown San Diego. We went on a scavenger hunt for different murals around the city and even had the chance to check out a few black-owned businesses. If you want some really good coffee and pastries, head to The Mental Bar in San Diego. We ended the day at Moonlight Beach, where we played volleyball and had a bonfire. That Wednesday, we went on a field trip to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It was super cool to hear about oceanography in California. They even took us out onto their pier! I ended the week with a live music festival and some thrifting with my roommates. I’m feeling a little homesick, but I'm also happy to be exploring the area! I'm glad to be part of this amazing program! Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well. My name is Henry Basila, and I'm thrilled to share with you some exciting updates from my work in Dr. Read's lab at Cal State San Marcos. As a senior majoring in Biotechnology, I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this lab, as the skills, experience, and knowledge I gain here will undoubtedly pave the way for my future endeavors, particularly in pursuing a Ph.D. in cellular biology.
The past week has been truly remarkable in terms of progress and personal growth. As I delved deeper into my research project, which focuses on identifying the genes involved in the calcification process of coccolithophores, I found myself becoming more immersed and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the materials and methods within this field. Now, let me give you a brief overview of my project. Coccolithophores, fascinating unicellular algae, play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by producing intricate calcium carbonate shells in various shapes and sizes. With over 200 different species, these organisms have an ancient lineage dating back over 200 million years. To initiate my project, I first need to determine the precise timing of shell production after a period of inoculation. This involves creating a growth curve to identify the late log phase, during which coccolithophores exhibit the highest rate of reproduction. These shells reflect light, and in order to view this calcification, I will be using a polarized light microscope to see the light reflected from their shells. Once I see calcification I will then be able to use an acid to break down the shell, and then extract rna from said decalcified algae. From there I will be doing a transcriptomic comparative analysis in order to view the difference between genes of calcified and non calcifying coccolithophores. Everyone came together to build a puzzle, either physically, or morally. After all of our hard work, Dr. Read rewarded us with some amazing crepes (what can't she do?)! Outside of the lab, I spent a lot of time with my new boyfriend, Stephan. We cooked meals together, exercised, and went to a baseball game. To end the week, I welcomed transfer students to the school as a representative of the Biotechnology club. I am very excited to spend more time in the lab, and with all of you amazing individuals! Greetings, everyone! My name is Stephan Balensi, and I am currently an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Business Management at San Diego State University. I am thrilled to share that I will be graduating from SDSU next year, after which I plan to embark on a Pre-Med Post Baccalaureate Program at CSU San Marcos. This program will enable me to fulfill all the prerequisites necessary for medical school. Around six months ago, my pre-med advisor introduced me to this program, emphasizing its potential to provide valuable research experience and a glimpse into the inner workings of cutting-edge medicine and treatments, even before they reach the public. Having been born and raised in San Diego and currently residing in Chula Vista, I had the convenience of a short 40-minute drive to the San Marcos Dorms where I moved in on the first day of the program. Henry, my roommate, generously assisted me in settling into our apartment. Later, the entire REU group gathered to enjoy a delightful dinner at Buona Forchetta, an Italian restaurant. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet everyone and savor some amazing food. The first week proved to be an incredible experience. Despite being surrounded by exceptionally bright individuals, I never felt out of place. The lab and its members welcomed me warmly, alleviating any concerns I had about diving into the extensive research that awaits us this summer. It was evident that making mistakes is part of the learning process, and the initial weeks of the program were intentionally designed to help us become comfortable with the techniques and protocols we will be using. I consider myself fortunate to have been assigned to Dr. Read's lab, which focuses on extensive algae research. During my interview with her, I mentioned that my parents own a skincare spa and produce skincare products. I also expressed my interest in potentially specializing as a dermatologist after medical school. Dr. Read thoughtfully assigned me to a project that aligns with my future aspirations! This particular project involves culturing various Haptophyte Algae and extracting their Alkenones (lipids). The process is quite involved, including freezing the samples with liquid nitrogen, centrifuging tubes, rigorous vortexing, and intricate chemistry. Fortunately, our mentor, Hossein, is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and patient, which significantly eased the initial apprehension I had about the protocol. Once we successfully extract the lipids, we subject them to GC-MS analysis—a combination of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry—to identify the different substances within our samples accurately. This analysis will confirm the efficiency and accuracy of our lipid extraction, as well as provide valuable insights into the composition of our samples. With these lipids, I will be conducting tests to explore their potential as a new sunblock. In a controlled environment, I will expose pig ears to UV light after topically applying our lipids. I will also compare the results with pig ears treated with regular sunscreen and those left untreated. Outside of the lab, we have the opportunity to embark on exciting field trips that offer a broader perspective on the industry. During this first week, we visited Thermo Fisher, where we were given an extensive tour of their state-of-the-art machinery and facilities. Additionally, we had the privilege of engaging in a conference with their esteemed faculty, where we could inquire about their journey and positions. During my leisure time, I enjoy going to the gym with fellow students and preparing healthy meals together afterward. I also take the opportunity to explore the breathtaking campus, surrounded by stunning mountains, through runs and bike rides. All in all, the first week has been nothing short of wonderful, and I couldn't be happier with the experiences and opportunities that lie ahead! |
Watch this space for weekly updates!Every week, one of our CSUSM NSF REU students will post their blurb, summarizing their week, and chronicling our program. AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
August 2023
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