Selecting all (the opportunties!)
June 16, 2024
Hi there! My name is Leah Alexander, and I am a rising junior at the University of Delaware. I am a neuroscience and psychology double major, and I have been working in research for the past two years. I have always had many passions that have pulled me in many different directions, and for a long time, I thought I had to sacrifice some to focus on others. I have always been passionate about the environment, my faith, and mental health. My diverse array of interests felt overwhelming at first, and I was often told that I must limit myself in order to excel in any one of my passions. However, my time so far at Fox Chase has truly expanded my horizons and given me the confidence to pursue all the opportunities I now see are open to me.
I often find myself thinking back to the email that introduced me to the Empower Fellowship. It seemed so out of reach at the time, part of a mass email and clearly meant for people that had biology/chemistry backgrounds (which was not me). Despite this, after touring the facility, I was determined that despite the odds, this would be the perfect place for me. As an aspiring MD- PhD, the duality of Fox Chase being both a research facility and a hospital held enormous appeal to me, and I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else this summer.
My first week threw me right into the deep end, but I could see right from the first day that there would be endless opportunities to learn and grow. Discovering and being able to meet so many Fox Chase faculty that have already completed the MD-PhD has also allowed me to see my hopes and dreams materialize in front of me in the form of these amazing, accomplished scientists.
This summer, I will be working under Dr. Margie Clapper and Dr. Ariane Bartolomeu in the Cancer Prevention Pavilion. We are evaluating the relationship of folic acid and colorectal cancer, using both organoids and eventually mouse models as well. This has introduced me to a wonderful, welcoming, and supportive lab team, as well as allowing me to apply many of the skills I learned in my first week as an Empower Fellow. I have been able to make solutions and buffers, and I will be learning how to perform assays and grow organoids as well.
In two short weeks here at Fox Chase Cancer Center, I already feel like I have had so many opportunities to learn and grow. I have had the opportunity to learn about cancer in general, the specific work of many of the faculty here, as well as learn more about direct patient care. I know the experience I have had so far is invaluable, and I am sure the coming weeks will bring more than I can imagine, and I cannot wait to take advantage of every opportunity to learn more!
Always Learning
July 14, 2024
These weeks have truly flown by. As I have been getting further into the fellowship, I find that I am learning so much. I am learning about what working in science is truly like and so many incredible skills. Thus far in the fellowship, I have had so many opportunities for growth and learning about myself as a scientist.
A trait that all scientists must have is patience. I did not realize how vital this trait was until I got deeper into my time here at Fox Chase. You must persist through failed experiments, through constant reworking of your methodology and ideas, and when your equipment just doesn’t want to work with you. Working with organoids, which are a matrix of cells that replicate the function of the organ it was derived from, has been very trying. Culturing these is a long and delicate process and working with biological specimens is always unpredictable. However, I am certain that there is nothing more rewarding than the high of finally perfecting a technique that allows you to get the result you have been trying all summer to get.
At the beginning of the summer, I could not imagine doing anything on my own. It seemed so overwhelming, everything that I needed to get done to achieve something by the end of the summer. Now that I have spent time in the lab, I finally feel confident taking initiative in jumping right into new experiments independently. I have had the opportunity to dissect mice, culture organoids, and even analyze data! I am excited for what the rest of the summer will bring and feel that I have already had so many opportunities to learn and grow.
August 26, 2024
As the summer came to a close, I found that the Empower Fellows Symposium had arrived before I could even catch my breath. Reflecting back on the summer, I realize that the girl who had started this program three months prior is not the same person that is writing this blog. My experience at Fox Chase has reshaped me in ways I couldn’t have possibly imagined, nurturing growth in nearly every aspect of my being.
Being placed in Dr. Clapper’s lab was an incredible opportunity and allowed me to gain a plethora of technical skills. However, more importantly, it taught me perseverance and attention to detail. Research, I quickly learned, is as much about the journey as it is about the destination - involving not only searching but REsearching when the first attempt (or several!) doesn’t pan out. For most of the summer, my organoids simply would not grow. We tried everything, countless hours of troubleshooting, analyzing, and hypothesizing, only to meet with the same frustrating results. Eventually, barely two weeks before the symposium, we found the root of the issue: the water bath used to incubate the organoids was two degrees too hot. This seemingly minute detail was crucial to the success of the organoid culture. When I finally peered through the microscope to see fully matured, healthy organoids, the months of trial and error seemed to melt away, leaving behind a deep sense of accomplishment and relief.
Preparing for the symposium was a whirlwind in and of itself, but it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my summer. This research was something I could truly take ownership of, and that feeling of pride was unmatched. I collected data until the very last minute, adding to the intensity of those final weeks. Putting together my presentation and abstract made me appreciate the adaptability I’d developed largely thanks to the guidance of Dr. Purdy, Dr. Austria, and my mentor, Dr. Rocha-Bartolomeu.
Throughout this process, I learned how much I enjoy science education and communication. Despite my initial nerves, standing in front of an audience and presenting my research was exhilarating. Public speaking has never been my forte, but this experience has made me eager to continue pushing beyond my comfort zone.
Perhaps the most profound impact of this summer came from the connections I made with the incredible people at Fox Chase. Drs. Purdy, Leystra, Austria, and Rall were invaluable, guiding me every step of the way and offering advice that I’ll carry with me long after this program. Dr. Clapper, my PI, and Dr. Rocha-Bartolomeu were instrumental in nurturing my passion for research, encouraging me to continue on this path with more curiosity and enthusiasm than before.
The physicians I connected with reminded me why I could never give up on clinical work. The brief encounters I had with patients during my lunch breaks were humbling and inspiring, reinforcing my commitment to pursuing a career that bridges research and clinical care. These individuals, along with the lessons they imparted, are treasured gifts that I’ll take with me as I return to the University of Delaware.
My time at Fox Chase Cancer Center has truly been nothing short of transformative. The challenges I faced, the relationships I’ve built, and the lessons I’ve learned have not only solidified my passion for research and clinical work but have also given me newfound confidence and adaptability. As I move forward, I do so with an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the world of healthcare, armed with the lessons and experiences that have shaped me this summer.
This chapter of my journey has been far more than I could’ve ever anticipated, and I can’t wait to see where the next steps will lead.