JANUARY CHECK-IN

Monthly community service hours completed: 0
Cumulative semester service hours completed: 0

After a hard-earned and much-needed winter break, starting off the spring semester took some adjustment. However, jumping straight into the reproductive module was nice since I'm quite interested in the field of endocrinology. When I was in undergrad, I took a molecular biology course focused on endocrinology lab techniques, and after making it through most of the endocrine module this month, a lot of the pieces started to fit together. In that class, we learned how to use immunoassays, radiolabeled ligands, and concentration curves to deduce mechanisms and faults with endocrine pathways. But in Medical Pharmacology, the clinical presentations and treatments provided me with the tools that connected the puzzle pieces, and cultivated a genuine interest in becoming an endocrinologist. It was especially rewarding to see how tightly endocrinology and reproduction are intertwined. The reproductive system is basically a masterclass in hormonal coordination, and having that lab-based endocrinology background made the module feel more intuitive and clinically relevant. I'm very excited to learn more about insulin signaling; diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death, and the current research in the field is groundbreaking and extremely impactful. Hopefully in the future I'll have the opportunity to contribute to this field myself, continuing to provide solutions that researchers and doctors are giving to patients around the world today.


In terms of community service, I have not had the opportunity to complete any this month. I do, however, plan on volunteering through The Lower Ninth Ward food pantry and participating in Dr. Solch-Ottaiano's Tulane Brain Institute community outreach programs. Between balancing my classes, studying for the MCAT, and refining my personal statement, I feel a bit disorganized at the moment. But I'm gathering momentum and excited to continue serving the community of New Orleans more this semester!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SEPTEMBER CHECK-IN

Monthly community service hours completed: 0 Cumulative semester service hours completed: 0     September has been a month of transition as I settle into the rhythm of graduate school and life in New Orleans.  After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2022, I decided to spend a few years working and serving my home community as an EMT on an ambulance. I was grateful for the experience I had accumulated, but I knew it was time to pursue my goal of becoming a doctor. Now, after returning from my school hiatus, re-entering the academic mindset has proven to take some time. Compared to the fast-paced and spontaneous environment in EMS, graduate school demands a methodical, well-planned, and organized sense of discipline and focus. Last week, we completed our module on infectious diseases, and I enjoyed learning in-depth about the microorganisms that I encountered frequently in the field.  My experience helped to digest the information: I recognised...
Read more

NOVEMBER CHECK-IN

Image
Monthly community service hours completed: 8 Cumulative semester service hours completed: 12      In November, I had the chance to volunteer at two new events that were both rewarding and enjoyable. First, I joined the Tulane Brain Institute at the American Heart Association Heart Walk, where we hosted a community outreach booth, organized by professor Solch-Ottaiano. A few classmates and I were able to teach visitors about brain anatomy and stroke awareness. Many participants had personal or family histories of cardiovascular disease, and after completing our modules on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, it was meaningful to finally put that knowledge to use. For the children, we made pipe-cleaner neurons and brain hats, which were surprisingly engaging and sparked genuine excitement about learning how the body works. Seeing how much the community valued this outreach made me excited to continue volunteering with the organization next semester.      I...
Read more