School of Harvard.
I had the honor of taking part in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REF.EU) program this past summer at the University of Notre Dame. My summer research project focused on the use of cobalt iron oxide cored (CoFe2O3) titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles as a scaffold for drug delivery, particularly in the delivery of the flavonoid curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. I worked on this project under the guidance of Professors Wendy Bozeman and Georgia Zebedee from the department of Biological Sciences. Finding a venue that would accept me as a high school student looking for a research opportunity was quite tough, but after many months of searching, I enlisted the aid of my high school advisor. My high school biology teacher utilized his connections to get me a spot in the program.
I was able to map apoptosis (planned cell death) versus necrosis (cell death as a result of damage) in helped a cervical cancer line, after treating them with curcumin-bound nanoparticles using tools that a high school student could only dream of employing. The dispersed light from the cells allowed us to distinguish between the types of cells—those that were still alive, those that had perished from necrosis or apoptosis, using flow cytometry to activate each individually suspended cell with a laser. With the use of the information gathered, it was feasible to ascertain whether curcumin and/or nanoparticles had any meaningful effects on the cervical cancer cells. Later, I was able to create 4D images of cells. Con-focal microscopy is used. I was able to obtain the practical experience essential for me to once again understand why I love science by growing helped and attempting to kill them with various substances.
Living on the campus of Notre Dame alongside other REV participants, UND athletes, and summer school participants was a whole different experience that helped me get ready for life after high school. I had the chance to experience college life as an independent student for nine weeks while working, socializing, and having fun with the other students.
There were also seminars on public speaking, excursions to the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and one-on-one writing workshops toward the conclusion of the summer research, in addition to the personally designed research assignments and the housing opportunities Each of us had to write a paper. By the conclusion of the summer, I still wasn't ready to stop my research. While my research on curcumin-functionalized CoFe2O4/TiO2 core-shell conjugates did not produce conclusive results regarding the effects of curcumin on cervical cancer cells, it did reveal that there were numerous unidentified factors affecting the Help cells. This led the lab to expand their investigation into regardless of whether the timing of the drug delivery mattered and other or note the location of the binding site of the drugs would affect the outcomes. This summer's experience made me understand how much I wanted to work in research. I've always known that I want to work in science, but the intriguing My heart has been won over by the realm of study, where discoveries are endless. Despite my duties as a high school senior preparing for college, the REV program offered me a year-long work this academic year. Because of this, I will be able to advance both my research and interest in nanotechnology.
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