The Empower Fellowship: Empowering My Voice
June 16, 2024
Performer was a term I could never ascribe to myself. The invasive stares from an audience, the soft quiver of my voice, and the racing of my heart would torment me. I avoided public speaking at all costs: even 5-minute presentations and 30-second songs on my guitar required weeks of preparation. I found solace in letting my words take the backseat, safe and secure from onlookers.
Last summer, I was met with the same stares, quivers, and racing heartbeat that once infringed on my confidence. After 11 weeks in the Fox Chase Empower Fellowship, my final task was to present my research findings to an audience of family, friends, and other researchers. Instead of hiding in the shadows, my voice was able to flourish in this room of like-minded individuals. The numerous questions asked by my audience were rewarding, not only showing they could follow along with my research but that they were interested in learning more as well. The final symposium was an inexplicably fulfilling experience of my summer at Fox Chase. Afterward, I went on to present at other symposiums and even won 1st place at the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Annual Research Symposium in the Life/Biological Sciences category. The Fox Chase Empower Fellowship has taught me invaluable lessons about myself and my goals.
Being asked to join the program for another summer was an easy “yes”. I was honored to be given another opportunity to assist with the tremendous work done at Fox Chase Cancer Center. As I rejoin Dr. Whitaker’s lab this summer, I look forward to the kind mentorship and assistance from the lab. Additionally, I look forward to expanding my project and challenging myself to learn even more. As I count down the days to this year’s final symposium, I’m excited about the memories I can make with my new friends in Philadelphia.
From Spectator to Presenter: My Experience at Research Day
July 14, 2024
Research Day has truly become a highlight of my summer experience. Last year, I remember being bright-eyed and curious as I walked from one large poster to another, entranced by the world of biomedical research conducted at Fox Chase. Dr. Lori Rink’s opening speech resonated deeply with me. Her story of being an excited research day attendee and later presenting her research mirrored my own journey.
This year, I was honored with the opportunity to present my research in a poster session at Research Day. Initially intimidated by the crowd of graduate students, technicians, and postdocs also presenting their research, my worries were resolved when the other fellows in the program rushed to eagerly listen to my project. Their positivity reassured me, helping me gain the confidence to present to others at the center.
As PIs, faculty, and other researchers stopped by my poster, I learned how to cater my research to different audiences. Instead of holding listeners hostage in the complete recitation of my project, I developed the skill of concisely pitching my project to others. This experience not only improved my presentation skills but also expanded my networking abilities. Connecting with others and finding similarities within our research was a fruitful aspect of Research Day.
My success at Research Day would not have been possible without the support from my lab. In Dr. Amy Whitaker's lab, I am fortunate to work alongside talented mentors who share my passion and dedication to science. Dr. Whitaker herself encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and present my research, seeing the potential in me to succeed. Additionally, my mentor, Dr. Elham Ahanin, provided ample constructive feedback to help strengthen my skills. I am comforted knowing that I have this group of wise individuals invested in my career and goals. As the summer progresses, I look forward to the expansion of my project and the lessons that I learn along the way.
Curtain Call: The Final Symposium
August 26, 2024
One of the most prominent lessons I learned this year is that there is no such thing as a ‘one-man show’. Broadway shows would be inept without the collaboration from actors, stage crew, directors, and designers. Similarly, scientific research is not an individual task; it takes a collective effort to be successful. With the assistance of the Whitaker lab, I learned that the most impactful performance is done as a team.
Returning to the lab this summer, I was greeted with exciting changes. The lab had doubled in size with the addition of two new PhD students and my PI, Dr. Amy Whitaker, was expecting. I quickly came to realize that these changes would help me grow professionally and personally as a young scientist.
Dr. Whitaker's unwavering support, despite her pregnancy, was truly inspiring. Whether it was a 2-hour meeting regarding my project or a quick email, I could always count on her to be there. Her passion and dedication to the lab was deeply appreciated. This summer, I had the privilege of working closely with my mentor, Dr. Elham Ahanin. I loved being able to help and learn about Elham’s project in between working on my own. From preparing samples for her project to collecting boxes around the campus for her big move, I was eager to assist in any way possible. Fortunately, Elham supported me the same. I could always count on her to answer my questions or help demonstrate a technique to me. Working with Elham this summer taught me the value of good mentorship.
The lab's supportive environment extended beyond my immediate mentors. Chris, the scientific technician, greeted me every single morning with an exclamation of my name followed by a “How are you doing, Boss?” As I navigated through fluorescence polarization assays, I was fortunate to have his guidance and assurance. Similarly, Shanae, another scientific technician, was always there to check in on me. Her kind “You good, Ovi?” would help ground me and remind me that I’m doing okay. She played a significant role in my enzyme kinetics data collection. Their support was instrumental, and I could not envision my summer without them.
Despite being a natural part of the scientific process, troubleshooting experiments never really gets easier. I learned this from the PhD students in my lab, Carson and Millie. After being disappointed that my weeks of mutagenesis attempts were all failing, I found comfort in knowing that I wasn’t alone. Carson and I both struggled with site-directed mutagenesis, and we worked together to problem-solve through our issues. Similarly, Millie and I were both struggling with x-ray crystallography. Through our shared knowledge, we pitched new ideas and perspectives to push through the obstacle. Carson and Millie provided the most realistic first-hand accounts of a PhD student. As a prospective student myself, I learned invaluable insights each day.
The collective support from my lab guided me to my big performance: the research symposiums. This summer I had the opportunity to present at the University of Delaware’s Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium for my involvement in the McNair Scholars program. A week later, I presented at Fox Chase’s Empower Fellowship Symposium. For each symposium, I spent the entire morning pacing, frantically reciting my spiel. However, as soon as I reached the podium, it all came naturally. I was enthused to share my research on Apurinic/Apyrimiduc Endonuclease 1 (APE1) variations and their influence on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis pathogenesis.
My research expanded on last year's work, incorporating two new variants (E126D and G306A) alongside the previously studied D283G. Through fluorescence polarization, enzyme kinetics, and X-ray crystallography assays, we uncovered new insights into the structure and function of these variant proteins.
In addition to the variant I studied last year, D283G, I also studied the E126D and G306A variants. Through fluorescence polarization, enzyme kinetics, and X-ray crystallography, I was able to discover new information about the structure and function of these variant proteins.
Reflecting on the past two summers, I recognize how the Empower Fellowship and the Whitaker lab have fostered my growth as a young scientist. This experience has not only taught me invaluable lessons about science and collaboration but has also helped me discover my voice as a performer on the stage of scientific research.