A Reed in the Wind

I was slightly nervous entering the 20.109 lab, knowing that I was one of the few without a prior UROP experience. Most of the techniques were very new to me, and I found myself fumbling with the equipment a lot. Even calculating dilutions was very difficult at first. By quickly admitting my gaps in knowledge, not being afraid to ask questions about EVERYTHING, and going to office hours and many CommLab appointments, I quickly caught on to the techniques and how to communicate them on paper. I also learned so much from the way my lab mate, Natasha (!), approached the experiments.

Rather than existing like a strong, obstinate tree, I found it easier to bend with the winds of unfamiliarity so that I could accept the full measure of learning 20.109 had to offer. I truly felt like a reed tossed and shaken by the wind, but I soon grew to accept the instruction and grow in my proficiency of research skills. As I looked at my lab mates around me, I realized we were all learning these things together, thus forming a field of reeds bending in camaraderie.


According to a Bob Dylan song, "the answer is blowin' in the wind," but just like I cannot catch the wind, the ligands that we put so much hope in remained elusive.



Even though our experiments were not a success by publishable standards, the module was a success when I reflect on how far I came in my understanding of research techniques and clear, scientific writing. Working on the data summary helped me absorb the significance of the concepts behind the experiments even though our p values (for the most part) were not. I am excited to say I enjoyed synthesizing all the information into the data summary and working with my lab mate to phrase difficult results in a positive but honest way.

Something else that was very new to me was keeping an electronic lab notebook, as I always prefer pen and paper. Although outside my natural realm of operations, this was a medium which helped me embrace the winds of change. I expect to face more research unfamiliarities in the upcoming modules, but I know at the end, I will be a very proud and happy (albeit tired) reed reaching to the sky.


~Zion Perry

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