Tip: Mouse over the boxes to view responses.
Jan.
3
Describe your hopes and dreams and fears for internship.
What I'm really hoping for in this internship is to learn about chemistry(more specifically, OChem) on the job, as it were. I'm hoping to get a taste of what it's like to be in a community of scientists and an academic environment, as well as learning about the massive world of organic chemistry.
However as I say that, it's also somewhat daunting. Everyone around is incredibly smart(and great people), and it's a new environment. My only actual fear, though, is not learning enough. I plan to be a sponge, and absorb as much information and experience as I can, and enjoy it as much as possible.
Jan.
4
Who is your mentor?
My mentor is Rei Matsuura, a PhD student in the Engle Lab at TSRI. She's a great person, very smart, helpful, and a quick wit. I haven't actually asked about her life or career much, but I hope to get to know her better over the course of the internship.
Jan.
5
Reflect on the first week.
What most surprised me this week what when my mentor gets surprised. I found out that she's jumpy, and when you enter falling glassware, that can get a bit nerve-rattling. Not much else has surprised me much though, I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can and take everything as it comes.
Jan.
8
Describe the purpose of your company.
"The Scripps Research Institute is dedicated to the creation of basic knowledge in the biosciences for medical application and the betterment of human health; the pursuit of fundamental scientific advances through interdisciplinary programs and collaboration; and the education and training of researchers from around the world preparing to meet the scientific challenges of the future."
For a start, I see collaboration between the fields everywhere. Even in the design of the building. All the labs, from all the departments, open into the same common area. Even the hospital is connected. People from different labs often come and visit, talk for a while. It really helps to cultivate a professional yet informal atmosphere.
Jan.
9
Describe a coworker.
This is Jose, the person that works adjacent to my mentor and I in the same fume hood. He did 5 years of undergrad at UCLA, and 5 years of grad school. He said that is fairly normal, though it did take him 9 years to get to TSRI. In his experience, grad school was much more learning by doing, less conventional book and test learning. In the future, once he's finished postdocs, he's hoping to go into big pharm somewhere in California, but he doesn't really mind whether he stays or which branch he goes into.
Jan.
10
Describe your project.
I haven't really solidified a project yet, I'm still learning skills and names(as that is a large portion of this internship, as far as I can tell). Right now I'm learning more about the fundamental parts of organic chemistry, so that I can get more into the sort of thing that my mentor is doing.
Jan.
11
Describe the social atmosphere.
The atmosphere here, at the very least, is quite relaxed. So much so, in fact, that Dr. Engle himself described it on my site visit as "A playground for adults"(not quite with the same meaning, but it fits very closely.). The people here are very welcoming, and the social atmosphere is very open minded-very conducive to scientific research. There's also a dog here at the lab, named Hermione(picture incoming tomorrow). She sheds a lot.
Jan.
12
Choose ONE:
Over the course of this internship, I see myself learning(partially relearning) the language of chemistry. I'm hoping to become more versed in the way chemists communicate, as well as work. A picture of the lab dog, as promised:
And a little something-rather I made from a pipette:
Jan.
16
Wondering what your fellow interns are doing?
Paul: Looks like you're having fun at your internship. Not quite what you wanted, but it looks like you're having a whale of a time regardless.
Zach: It's great that you've managed to snag an internship that allows you to pursue your film and multimedia interests. Now that you're actually working on that, how has it changed your viewpoint?
Lily: So if you're learning how to teach kids, what does that make you? Just food for thought, but your internship seems like a priceless experience.
Jan.
17
Challenges so far.
The biggest challenge that I face at my internship would have to be myself. Forgetting, clumsiness, and inexperience are challenges that I face daily, but I hope to overcome them or learn to work around them.
As for the lab as a whole, their whole job is to face challenges and find solutions to them. The lab's goal is to find better ways to make reactions work for making different compounds. The way they have been dealing with this problem is by using a transition metal catalyst(though that's simplified-a thorough explanation wouldn't fit in a blog post).
Jan.
18
Choose ONE:
In my internship, I'm having to learn to deal with my forgetfulness(my mentor is a huge help), although the reason is that forgetting something can put me back to the beginning of an reaction(happened today with a full day reaction, ouch). So I'm hoping that I can bring these skills back to school to help me focus and internalize information, as well as retain it.
Jan.
19
Internship vs School.
The week here, when compared to school, is more difficult(though that's not necessarily a bad thing). It's challenging me in a subject I enjoy, and that's one thing I think I've been missing from High Tech. I think my experiences here will allow me to work harder and more efficiently at school, when the time comes.
Some pictures of the glovebox(A nearly zero water/oxygen environment filled instead with argon that I used the other day)
​
Jan.
22
Project Update!
My project is basically helping my mentor finish up her current research-so far I've mostly made starting material for other procedures, but I also have a 'screen' in progress(basically testing similar reactions with different environs to optimize yield). So far, I've been learning the theory behind the work my mentor is doing, but I'm getting caught up. As before, my main challenges have been forgetfulness and stupid mistakes, though I'm remembering to not forget(If that makes sense).
Jan.
23
Freestyle Post Day!
I need more structure, please send help.
For an actual blog post though, I did a procedure that took much longer than expected today(technically a purification, but let's not quibble.). As such, we were not able to get done some of the other things that we intended to get done. On the flip side of that, though, is that the resulting purification was very clear and will most likely not have mixed results.
Jan.
24
iPOL Prep.
For my iPOL, I need to work more on the theory of what my mentor and I are doing(to make sure that I understand it well enough to tell others about it). I don't know quite what I'm going to use for my actual iPOL(as in presentation, memorized talk, etc.), but I know that where I'm most likely going to be presenting can support a powerpoint presentation, and that I will need to fully wrap my head around the subject.
Jan.
25
Another look at your coworkers and social environment.
All around me, I see dedicated people. Though I am only peeking through the door, so to speak, I see that they have worked long and hard to get to where they are. I admire that, and I want to take their examples to heart and try to work as hard as they have, to work towards a future that I enjoy and I earn. I don't think there's anything I would change about the environment here, everyone has been very welcoming and helpful.
Jan.
26
Internship and College.
Over the course of this internship, I have taken a look at the future of what the next(probable) step in chemistry courses(OChem). I must say that my experience here differs greatly from what I did in my courses before, both at Mesa and MiraCosta. I'm still not sure what kind of chemistry I want to do, but my time here has certainly not made me averse to the possibility of pursuing organic chemistry.
Rotovap The Betrayer
Some cold stuff.
Even colder stuff.
Seriously, don't touch it.
Jan.
29
Things to be thankful for.
I have obtained a newfound appreciation for sticky notes. I don't think there's a single page in my lab notebook that doesn't have a sticky note on it. I use them for all sorts of things-writing down procedures and amounts, making calculations, etc.
The person I most want to appreciate, however, is my mentor Rei. She's been so patient and helpful with my stupid mistakes, and I don't think I could have asked for a better mentor. So thanks, Rei.
Jan.
30
Looking to the future, again.
I'm not sure if I'll stay in touch with the lab in future, but it certainly has made an impact on my thoughts about organic chemistry, as well as the entirety of chemistry and my education and aspirations as a whole. I think it has opened my eyes a crack to see a bit of what my future might hold.
Jan.
31
Advice to future interns.
Over all, I think I was quite lucky to have secured this internship. I would urge you to go for internships you want, even if you might not get it. There's always a chance, and persistence and a will to work can't hurt.
Jan.
31
Advice to future interns.
Over all, I think I was quite lucky to have secured this internship. I would urge you to go for internships you want, even if you might not get it. There's always a chance, and persistence and a will to work can't hurt.