Student Experiences: In Their Own Words - Week 2

Middle School

"Microbiology is the study of very small living organisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, algae, and protozoans. Robert Hoke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek were two great scientists who discovered the existence of microorganisms using microscopes in the 1600’s. We have learned that there are harmful and beneficial bacteria that are found everywhere. Bad bacteria can cause diseases, illness, and spoil food. Good bacteria keep us healthy, help us digest food, make vitamins in our bodies, help scientists make medicines, they are used in gene therapies, detoxify our environment and recycle chemicals. Two main themes of microbiology are basic (cellular processes) and applied (agri., industry, health). We use the Linnaean System (2 names-binomial) to name microorganisms. Microbiology helps scientists to certain prevent diseases, food from spoiling, and develop aseptic techniques for medicine and labs. Overuse of antibiotics by doctors has led to antibiotic resistance in sick patients. Diseases like MRSA, VRE, VRSA, and MDR-TB are examples of drug resistant strains of bacteria.

Mindfulness is focusing more on the present (not on the past and future) without judging. It is the awareness of our thoughts, emotions, body sensations, actions, and our environment. We observe our thoughts and feelings without any judgment. Mindfulness is paying attention to when we eat, drink, breathe, walk, etc. It is about eliminating judgment when we observe, focusing on the present moment, having patience, showing empathy/care and being grateful. Mindfulness is not meditation. It is not about controlling or removing things from your mind. Mindfulness is not about reaching a specific state of mind, or achieving a specific experience, or even thinking. Mindfulness has many benefits like reducing pain, anxiety, depression, stress, improving sleep quality, and even help support/boost our immune systems. Also, mindfulness increases the gray matter in our brains and helps us to focus. Examples of not being mindful are thinking too much about something, being judgmental, being distracted, or being in a hurry." - BG

"Cells are the basic membrane-bound unit of a living organism, it contains the genetic material of the organism. There are Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes. Eukaryotes have genetic material within the nucleus, and Prokaryotes have genetic material, not in a nucleus. A human cell is an example of a eukaryotic cell. An organelle is a membrane-bound structure within a cell that carries out a particular function. One example of an organelle is the nucleus, it controls all activities and it is a eukaryotic cell. The cell is in summary the basic unit of a living organism. Cells are made up of organelles, organelles perform specific functions. The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cells, it makes energy.

The principles of Mindfulness are Non-judgmental observations, Present moment-awareness, Interconnectedness, Compassion, Gratitude, Acceptance, Letting Go, Patience, Calmness, Integration of the Mind, Heart, and Body. For example, you have to be aware of the present, not the future and the past, it is okay to focus sometimes on the future and the past but the present is the most important, it makes you more aware of what is happening at that moment. We are not Mindful when we do obsessively thinking, judgmental thinking, or behaving, getting distracted, and speeding/rushing. All these things are not Mindfulness because you are most likely stressing out or not being in the moment. Getting distracted can take you away from the important thing that you have to do. Speeding/rushing can make you make a mistake more easily since you are in a rush to do something. Mindfulness can be a way of living. We don't look but observe, we don't taste but swallow, we don't think but feel, and we don't exist but live. When we touch something we don't just look at it, we can see what color it is, or what is the shape of it. Mindfulness is good for our bodies since it can make our bodies immune to an illness, it can help your mental state and help mental illness. It reduces anxiety and depression and you get to sleep better. Mindfulness also changes our brain, it can increase the density of gray matter in the brain regions linked to our emotions, etc. It might look like when you hear gray matter it is something negative but it is not the gray matter that you have the better. Mindfulness and meditation are different. People might think that they are both the same thing but it is wrong. Mindfulness is being in the moment and thinking about something and acknowledging it but meditation is letting everything go. Mindfulness can help with illness and improve your health." - JM

High School

"Biology: Cells are the basic membrane-bound unit of a living organism, it contains the genetic material of the organism. There are Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes. Eukaryotes have genetic material within the nucleus, and Prokaryotes have genetic material, not in a nucleus. A human cell is an example of a eukaryotic cell. An organelle is a membrane-bound structure within a cell that carries out a particular function. One example of an organelle is the nucleus, it controls all activities and it is a eukaryotic cell. The cell is in summary the basic unit of a living organism. Cells are made up of organelles, organelles perform specific functions. The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cells, it makes energy.

Mindfulness: The principles of Mindfulness are Non-judgmental observations, Present moment-awareness, Interconnectedness, Compassion, Gratitude, Acceptance, Letting Go, Patience, Calmness, Integration of the Mind, Heart, and Body. For example, you have to be aware of the present, not the future and the past, it is okay to focus sometimes on the future and the past but the present is the most important, it makes you more aware of what is happening at that moment. We are not Mindful when we do obsessively thinking, judgmental thinking, or behaving, getting distracted, and speeding/rushing. All these things are not Mindfulness because you are most likely stressing out or not being in the moment. Getting distracted can take you away from the important thing that you have to do. Speeding/rushing can make you make a mistake more easily since you are in a rush to do something. Mindfulness can be a way of living. We don't look but observe, we don't taste but swallow, we don't think but feel, and we don't exist but live. When we touch something we don't just look at it, we can see what color it is, or what is the shape of it. Mindfulness is good for our bodies since it can make our bodies immune to an illness, it can help your mental state and help mental illness. It reduces anxiety and depression and you get to sleep better. Mindfulness also changes our brain, it can increase the density of gray matter in the brain regions linked to our emotions, etc. It might look like when you hear gray matter it is something negative but it is not the gray matter that you have the better. Mindfulness and meditation are different. People might think that they are both the same thing but it is wrong. Mindfulness is being in the moment and thinking about something and acknowledging it but meditation is letting everything go. Mindfulness can help with illness and improve your health." - NP

"My experiences in this program have enhanced my understanding of many concepts. I was introduced to both biology and psychology as well as influential mentors that could serve as a guide for future goals. The biological structure or organization of the cells have been the most insightful to me. The human body is composed of eukaryotes, a cell type with genetic material located inside of its nucleus rather than outside like a prokaryote. Psychology has also been useful. The inside view of how the mind reacts to everyday objects, colors, and features around us can shape the way we perceive things. One of these ideas is conveyed in an experiment founded by Eleanor J. Gibson to prove that some creatures have depth perception-They know to not go off the edge of some ledges.

Phenomenal speakers like Dr. Haber taught me that you can benefit from past projects by implementing learned skills into your future career. Another speaker, Yasmeen, highlights that you might experience some doubts about the path you are taking. Moreover, interviews are not the hardest part of applying to medical schools. They have helped me build confidence so far in this program and I hope to learn more on how to engage in research to develop my cognitive skills." - BB