Before starting my internship, me and my boss outlined some goals (‘learning objectives’) for the summer. So far I have made excellent progress!…
- I have completed my first goal way ahead of schedule. I was hoping to have completed the four matlab tutorials by the end of the summer, but I was able to complete them all last week! In these tutorials I learned how to import large data files and run statistical analysis tests, such as a T-test, on this data. These T-tests will be the main tool I use to identify trends and obtain the significance of these trends. I also learned how to make various types of charts and graphs to display the data in an organized manner. These charts will be important for displaying my results in the poster presentation. I am really proud of my progress with these matlab tutorials because I know that this skill will be very useful as I continue my research career. I know that I have truly learned something from the tutorials because I am able to help fellow interns when they are struggling with the Matlab assignments. Having these skills will make me a stronger applicant if I want to join a new lab. With these skills I am able to expand the number and types of projects that I can take on in the future.
- I have also made excellent progress with the resection masks. Resection masks are a 3D tracing of an area of a patient’s brain that was removed in a previous surgery. The removal of the brain tissue (identified to be the seizure-onset zone) is done with great precision to minimize the amount of deficits the patient may endure, while maximizing the chances for seizure-freedom for the epilepsy patient. (NOTE: only patients that are unresponsive to anti-epileptic drugs are considered for this risky surgery). It is my job to make the resection masks for various patients, to be included in my study. I have completed masks for 14 patients. Out of those 14 subjects, 12 will be included in my project. This is great news! I have also completed the next step f my project for these 12 patients and and ready to start analyzing the data that my boss has prepared for me. We hope to start tackling this next step by the end of the week! I monitor my progress with my project using a google docs spreadsheet/checklist. I am able to see what I have done and what needs to be done for each subject, organize the patient and file names in a coherent manner, and easily update my superiors on my progress with this organization skill I have acquired.
- I have been learning so much this summer. My internship supervisor sends me articles that are related to my project and the work that is done in the lab. I keep track of what I have learned by taking notes on a googledoc. I have grasped a better understanding of epilepsy and cognitive neuroscience terminology.
- One of the most valuable skills I have learned this summer is how to interact with superiors. There are so many people in the hospital that I’d love to talk to regarding their careers and their interests. One of my goals was to talk with the chief epileptologist about her interests in women issues in epilepsy. I thought that I could use this conversation to spark an idea for my case study that I will write in my 3rd Newcomb Scholar Seminar. I am planning to speak with her on thursday to organize a date to talk. It is important to make connections with superiors and make a good impression.
This summer I have learned the importance of making connections–with people, in research, and between neurons in the brain.