I have finally joined the ranks of a group I heavily envy: the people who love their jobs. I have a position doing summer research at Rutgers in Camden! Which could mean this is my last post for the summer at least to maintain impartiality towards the university. I wanted to go out celebrating another one of the great, scientific opportunities Rutgers offered me. Q-STEP, as I previously mentioned, is our new Science and Math expansion program, and they offered research opportunities for freshmen this summer. Such positions are a rare commodity. Most research programs only accept upperclassmen. As a result, this summer I have been continuing my neurology research while gaining experience in other academic areas. One of my favorite experiences so far is meeting on Tuesdays with a bunch of other neurology researchers on campus to discuss journal articles. Our main focus thus far has been the small world theory and how it is applicable to neuroscience. I’ve also enjoyed visiting the other neurology lab where experiments on rats and mice using EEGs take place. It’s not for the squeamish, but Dr. Martin and his team are doing some great work with thyroid hormones. For my research, I’ve been continuing learning about neuroelectrophysiology and utilizing MATLAB to analyze data. The math behind neurology and our body’s systems is astounding. Outside of Neurology, I received a tutorial for how to use our electron microscope and ended up viewing some insects and insect eggs nearly invisible to the human eye. One reason I love science is that it involves looking and thinking about things that are always around, but rarely thought about by people.
Summer at Rutgers Camden has also provided some community events including a Flyers game pizza party, a World Cup viewing, a Sundae Saturday, and tomorrow night 25 of us are going to a Camden Riversharks game with box seats that Rutgers gave summer residents for FREE. College kids love the word free and I’m pleasantly surprised that Rutgers is provided recreation for us summer kids. I have a summer class starting soon that I will let you know about as well. People don’t seem to be complaining about them. I know a few people who are thoroughly their Rutgers summer classes. The students who went abroad are coming back happy too.
I’m also enjoying our proximity to Philadephia and planning a comic book creation event for charity. I will give more details when we announce the event in July. I am sorry for my absence, but I hope to give you an update real soon and tell you about the Riversharks game.
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