Even though I've now spent almost six weeks in Utah, I still managed to learn new life lessons this week. My aunt went away this week, and she left some meals for me to bake for dinner, so I learned how to not burn food (Yay me). Four meals down, one meal to go. I also learned that there's something more awkward than walking through a crowded college campus as a high school student: walking through an empty college campus as a high school student. It turns out that UVU, the campus I walk through to get back to the house, was on spring break this week, and I didn't realize it until I had walked halfway through the building. (It's amazing how self-conscious you can become even when there aren't any people around.) But the doors were open, so I don't think I was doing anything wrong. Finally, I learned that I really shouldn't be surprised when random things happen. For instance, I woke up on Tuesday to be greeted by this sight:
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Say hello to my new pet dove, Dora. |
My uncle had apparently found her on his morning walk. Her wing was injured, and she flew right in front of him. She even let my uncle carry her back to the house and put her in this cat carrier. We took her to the vet on Wednesday, and we're trying to heal her wing, which looks like it was scratched by a cat. We're not sure if she's domestic or wild, but I think, if her wing heals, we'll put her back outside. (And by "we," I mean my uncle, since I'm leaving on Sunday. Sadly. I've become to primary caretaker of her.) She seems fine besides her wing, but I don't think she's eating much. Hopefully she'll be okay.
This week was bittersweet, since it's my last week in the lab (but, (un)luckily for you, I still have a few more weeks of blog posts, so stay tuned). Fortunately, I finally learned the liposome-creation-and-testing process well enough so I can test three to four drugs per week, if not more. Unfortunately, it's a bit late to apply that knowledge, but better late than never, I suppose. Looking back at my first month here, my results just seem so slow. Half of the results I've obtained have come from this week alone; the other half come from my previous five weeks here. On the bright side, I'm glad that none of my tests went awry yesterday. (I was told that apparently everything goes wrong when you're leaving soon. It's like the liposomes know you're leaving.... My gloves, at least, knew I was leaving; I used the last of my extra-small gloves today.)
This week, I had - not one, not two - but three pH electrodes to work with. ( I never thought this day would come.) It was, needless to say, very exciting to finally test liposomes in sets of three, instead of one test at a time. (This is also probably why I was able to test so many more possible drugs. Maybe if they had fixed the pH electrodes sooner, and I would've tested more possible drugs.) I'm sure you're all wondering how pH electrodes can be "fixed," so here is our wonderfully high-tech solution (as usual) to the pH electrode noise/artifact problem.
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Yes, that's tinfoil on the pH electrodes. Welcome to the 21st century. |
Something with the metal-to-metal contact must have worked, because all three pH electrodes now have no noise, and very minimal artifacts. I'm not entirely sure this is a good permanent solution, though. The tinfoil seems to easily break and sever the metal contact.
On another note, I have found the one working new pieces of equipment that we have in the lab (besides, of course, the building itself). I'm not entirely sure how expensive it was, but I think it was a few grand, so I'm glad it actually works (though it took a few weeks to be calibrated).
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And you thought your dishwasher was expensive. |
I was going to talk about my most recent results, but I think this post is already a decent size (wow, the words go by fast). So, you're welcome; I won't confused you any more (for now...).
Until next time!
- Lauren
Sounds like an interesting week to end on though. With the dove and all. I think some colleges stay open during Spring Break for grad students and stuff. I love your inner monologue. Know that the Arizona heat is ready to embrace you, even if your gloves must bid thee a farewell. Looking back as well, I guess it is pretty funny how some of the simpler and shortest steps seemed pretty large at the start. Hopefully you've gathered all the data you need. There is nothing wrong with thinking or over thinking about college decisions, but as you probably know, there's always a time to say, eh, f***it. (Not like it is your next four years or anything :P( that is more directed to reality than you)). Best of luck in the next 20 days. Hopefully, I think you'll be able to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks. I can feel the decision time slowly creeping up on me though.... Thankfully, I only have good options, so I don't think I can go wrong. I just feel like they're too good, and that's why I can't decide...
DeleteOnce you nurse Dora back to health, you should train her to fly messages wherever you need them XD email is overrated
ReplyDeleteYou said the device at the end took a few weeks to get calibrated...what variable of it exactly needs to be calibrated, what is the process to do so, and why does it take so long?
Haha, apparently there is a special kind of soap that it has to use, so it doesn't leave soapy residue that could contaminate the beakers. It turns out, there are a bunch of different washes that it can do, and my lab had to figure out which one worked best. I think they made the drying phase a bit longer as well. So, like most things in the lab, this process was done mostly through trial and error.
DeleteHey Lauren,
ReplyDeleteWow time really flew! But it's great to see that you gained so much experience through your lab work at BYU; now everything probably seems a lot more familiar and easier to do! I'm sure with another week left and given that the pH electrodes are *finally* working, you'll get all the data you need.
Good luck!
Sadly, I already left the lab, but I hope that the results I got will be good enough. It's nothing conclusive, obviously, but there are some promising parts.
DeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteThis Tanner from Lutheran High School again. I love reading your blogs! They have humor in it to not make it all so serious. But what would you say was the most important lesson you learned from working in the lab? Are you satisfied with the results you have? It seems like this project has really been a learning experience and it seems as though you have taken a lot away which is always good. Plus a sense of humor always seems to help! Good luck with picking a college!
HI Lauren,
ReplyDeleteWell six weeks of research and finally something I can relate to. Glad to see you have been introduced to the features of tin foil. Back in the days before cable, we had to use tinfoil to enhance the rabbit ears. I'm glad to see it works on you pH electrodes also.
Where will your next research project be?
Lauren....it's great that this experience in Utah has grown you in several different ways. Like others, I look forward to that day that you FINALLY make your college decision. Good luck. Looking forward to seeing you again and getting a preview of your SRP.
ReplyDeleteHow did you discover that tin foil would fix the pH meters?
ReplyDeleteHello Lauren! My name is Cayley and I go to Lutheran High School in Parker. Your blog is hilarious, I love to see how effectively you use humor and incorporate it into your writing! Really cool to see all of the experience you are gaining through the lab, it really seems like you have learned a lot. Everything looks good nice job.
ReplyDelete