Having worked in the lab since fall semester last year, which can oftentimes be a rather isolating environment, I am most excited to be able to share my findings and work through hurdles with this fantastic cohort. Even though our time together has only just begun, I can already feel the genuine kindness, dedication, and innovation of these students. Hearing about each and every scholar discuss their research with passion and vigor has not only given me a burst of motivation in completing my own project, but also gives me hope and inspiration about where our research will take us beyond this first summer.
Even within my pre-medical focused mentor group, I could instantly tell how varied our interests and research pathways were. In awe, I listened to my peers talk about their vastly different research methods, from interviews and field research to mouse experiments and meta analysis techniques. Beyond my own discipline, I find the humanities research to be incredibly compelling and interesting. While I study the unseen intricacies of microorganisms in the human body, others are studying entire communities and countries -- both are important and necessary for change and advancement. Mostly, I find so much value in the interdisciplinary nature of Laidlaw in that it expands my viewpoint to uncharted territory and allows all of us to become a step closer to bringing innovative changes to science, medicine, politics, literature, and more.
After attending the introductory course on Zotero and the extensive Columbia Library resources, I feel more equipped but also slightly daunted by the impending literature review I am preparing to write. It truly seems as though the comprehensive list of published papers is endless, not to mention cross-analysis and cross-referencing of papers. However, if I have learned anything from Laidlaw already, it is that the support system is unendingly helpful, and I am thrilled to be able to talk through these difficulties with my mentor, peers, and librarian.
*Featuring: A not-so-candid candid of some new friends enjoying Mama's Too pizza in Riverside Park (they highly recommend trying)!