I am excited about getting to familiarize myself with the lab, this will be a new experience for me and I can't wait to see the awesome stuff I am going to learn. I'm really excited to work with so many people who have so much knowledge in the field of biomedical research. I'm hoping this experience will help me decide whether this is a career I would like to aim for. I'm nervous about driving in the mornings, I've heard there's a lot of traffic going towards La Jolla early in the morning. Other than that I am enthusiastic and can't wait to see what this internship has in store for me!
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Mentor: Dr. Hemal Patel
Organization: UCSD La Jolla Main Campus: Biomedical Sciences Building (BSB) About UCSD's Biomedical Research Facility Dr. Hemal Patel's research is looking at individual pieces of organelles and discovering how they affect the body overall. He is specifically interested on its effect on cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, aging, diabetes, and cancer. For more information on his studies go to the following link: http://biomedsci.ucsd.edu/faculty/faculty_descrip.aspx?id=278 What is a typical workday like? The lab is mostly postdoctoral researchers writing papers in preparation for an academic faculty job. There are many different research projects going on at once by different students. A typical work day is working hands on in the lab on a research project. What are your main duties and responsibilities? Dr. Patel is the Principal Investigator which means he runs and oversees the projects in the lab. He collaborates with other researchers and students to make new discoveries and share work. How is the organization structured? The structure of the lab is very loose. Students come and go whenever they like to work on their research projects and Dr. Patel is their mostly to oversee, answer any questions and help when needed. The path Dr. Patel took to get where he is today- what is his educational history and work experience prior to working here? The process to become a biomedical researcher is very long. You spend 4 years as an undergraduate and the following 4 years working on your PhD (4 years if you're lucky.) Then once you've completed your PhD program you move on to you postdoctoral research, this can last as long as up to 5 years. Which is your own research that you then write papers on in preparation to move onto an academic faculty position. Why did you chose to work here? Dr. Patel has a very strong background in medical research. A majority of his family either have their MD or PhD. He also had a passion for medical research. This lead him to follow his families footsteps into the field. What qualifications do employees need to be successful here and how are those qualifications acquired? We did not discuss this. But my understanding is that in order to become a biomedical researcher you need your PhD. What other personality traits, skills, or knowledge are important to be successful here? We did not discuss this. What advice do you have about working here? We did not discuss this either. |
Lizzy Marquez
I am an 11th grade student at High Tech High International. I have recently, through my classes, discovered a passion for biology, chemistry, and medicine which has led me to consider pursuing a career in Biomedical Engineering. I love the idea of using my enthusiasm for science to improve the lives of others. When I read about the type of research Dr. Patel does at UCSD I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I am very excited to have this opportunity to practice the principles of researching and applying science to learn about illnesses. |