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!
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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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