Lab blog
Stay tuned for student written blog posts!
12/4/2019 4 Comments Clarke BagsbyBefore I came to college, I wasn’t really sure of what I wanted my career to be in the science/ health field. I always thought that I wanted to be a doctor because that’s who I had shadowed all throughout high school and learned about in high school. My parents trusted the profession because it was guaranteed I would be able to have a well-off life; what they approved of mattered to me heavily which was why the profession stuck. The fall semester was an eye-opening experience because I was away from parents and other mentors which allowed me to see the science community from an unbiased viewpoint. I became aware of different types of science careers other than doctors.
When I found out about biomedical research, the passion for science within me cried tears of joy. It was the perfect balance of working with my hands, critically thinking, and solving problems all of what I enjoyed doing. After talking with Dr. Limbird, she recommended me to Dr. Ramanathan’s research in cancer biology. At first, I was hesitant about going to the meetings because I knew I was going to be lost in the literature. I thought research was going to be long, boring meetings in which I wouldn’t understand what they were talking about. Just hearing the words “Biomedical Research” sounds prestigious and exclusive of those not able to comprehend large terms and concepts. But, after explanation of the literature from Dr. R and the other students in the lab, it all is very basic to the Biology that I was currently learning. Biomedical research is taking those concepts and amplifying them to real world medical issues that is solved through critical thinking, application of those thoughts in experiments, and replication for solutions to be made. Of course, in the first couple of months I had joined the lab, I had no idea what I had really gotten myself into. Now that I am almost 9 months in, I understand protocols that I had never heard of, literature that has become easier to read and comprehend, and how to read data that would usually be difficult to understand. I have been able to put into practice everything that I had learned from my classes to everything we are doing the lab. The best part of biomedical research is that you continue to learn everyday about the science you enjoy doing and I love it! Dr. Ramanathan took a chance with me by allowing me to learn and shadow students during the semester to eventually doing my own experiments in the summer. Having the experiences in the lab this summer further expanded my tenacity for a career in the sciences. Looking ahead toward my career, I want to pursue a PhD. I’m not sure of what I want to get my PhD in, but hopefully during the rest of my undergraduate time at Fisk I will be able to pick out my interests. I really enjoy cancer biology because of my time in Dr. Ramanathan’s lab, but I want to explore more. Next summer, I want to do research at another institution to see what else biomedical research has to offer. All in all, I am excited for my journey toward getting a PhD and can’t wait to see where it takes me.
4 Comments
Dylan Makor
12/4/2019 10:13:44 am
After exploring new options in your field do you think you are more confident about what you want to do in your future?
Reply
Clarke Bagsby
12/4/2019 10:19:04 am
Yes, actually I do.
Reply
Chris Smith
12/4/2019 10:48:39 am
My experience with the first semester of college was very similar. Good luck on your pursuit!
Reply
Dawn Charleston-Green
12/4/2019 06:08:04 pm
Clarke, I’m so excited that the path of your journey is becoming clearer and it will continue to do so. As you continue to get further experience who knows where it will lead you. Just enjoy the journey. You’re more than capable.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |