We are finally at the end!! Or is it a new beginning?

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! It is finally the end of the research, and wow it feels wonderful! I encourage you to check out my final paper and presentation posted on the website!

While I did a similar research project last year, I never felt like I stopped learning throughout this entire process. I learned how to care for my C. elegans better, and administer L-theanine through the dead plate method which was entirely new for me. I also found the fact that TBI was 3x more likely within lower-income countries such an interesting fact and it promotes why such a project is essential and so important. The idea that more affordable lifestyle habits can promote recovery in the brain is such an exciting prospect! I hope in the future, whether it is in terms of technology, or policy, that I can still advocate for more accessible healthcare and even lifestyle habits. Also, I will substitute my coffee intake with some green tea!

As I was rehearsing my final presentation and writing my final paper I could not be more grateful for my AP Seminar in Experimental Design classes from last year. I learned presentation techniques used in both of the classes and I even surprised myself about my skills! An 18-minute presentation was surprisingly really easy to give, and I wasn't as stressed out as I normally would have been a year ago! Also, a funny story, during my final presentation, I accidentally found out I deleted a slide and sort of panicked, but it was all good because the rest of the presentation went on smoothly! If this ever happens to you (which I hope it doesn't), I strongly urge you to just take a deep breath in and trust the process! It will all turn out okay. My favorite part of my presentation is the visuals and pictures so be sure to check those out! In terms of the academic paper, I am grateful that I had an inner Mrs. Petri or inner Ms. Burnham or Mr. Sassali telling me about words to avoid, and how to format the paper. Writing the research paper for the first time felt like a breeze. Throughout this process, I think I learned about developing confidence in my work and product and conveying that through media effectively, and I will carry this with me throughout my life, not just in academic papers, but whenever I am taking up a new challenge.

Now, as a researcher, a student, and a human being, I learned that I am sometimes (and maybe unreasonably) an overly optimistic person, but that means that I won't complain when things are going bad in my research, and I am surprisingly a go with the flow person. I keep on trying to make things right, but I am okay adjusting my project to fit my limitations and timeline, and in the end, I will complete it with a positive mindset. Also, I learned that discipline is so much more powerful than motivation, I know this sounds cliche, but there were so many times that I didn't want to work on my project just because of it. the strict timeline, I still made it to the lab whenever I could. I am glad that I did show up and didn't give up halfway because overall, I'm satisfied with the final product! I also learned that I can be a pretty good presenter and I was so proud of myself afterwards! I always struggled with public speaking, so the AP research final presentation, raised my confidence to go and do just about anything. I'll take the responsibility, discipline,d co, confidence in working on future research, pursuing my major, and even in internships.

And lastly, I just wanted to convey my thanks to everyone that has helped, and supported me throughout my project!

First and foremost, Mrs. Petri, thank you for fostering my love of biology ever since I was a freshman. You encouraged me to take biotechnology my sophomore year and even pursue research my junior year. You have been like a parent figure for me at this school, and I appreciate that because, without you, I wouldn't have been the person I am today. Thank you for always giving me new suggestions in my research and giving me the room to make mistakes. I remember the first time I learned to seed paltes it took me a few tries to get it right! But throughout the entire process, I grew so much so thank you so much for that! And thank you so much for supporting my research this year, and making the times in your room such unforgettable memories. Thanks for allowing me to talk through my problems with you and helping me come up with different solutions! I will miss you so much in college, and I hope you know that you had such a profound impact on me!

Ms. Reilly, thank you for being one of the most kindest and genuine teachers ever! I always love talking with you and I am so glad that I got to have you as a teacher for two years! I always enjoyed my time in your class and you furthered my passion for the sciences! Even though I always love our conversations thank you. you so much for showing up to every stage of my research journey! And most importantly thank you so much for letting me use the chemistry backroom and the sodium hydroxide for my project!

Ms. Dobos and Mr. McBride,

Thank you both so much for encouraging me to pursue research for yet another year, and showing me how to explain my research in a nonscientific concept. Thank you for always challenging me, and since I had to explain the research differently, I understood all the methods much more deeply! Thank you again so much for our meetings, and check-ins, and for creating such a wonderful community in the class! I loved our breakfast day today!

Rileigh Young,

Thank you so much for being someone I could bounce. ideas with back and forth during the project and how to work with the C. elegans specifically. Thanks for all your support and just being there for me! And thank you so much for participating in my double-blind analysis!

To my mom, dad, and little sister Supritha,

Thank you so much for always teaching me to follow my dreams, and try out something new! Thank you for listening to my rants about my research or helping me relax when I'm stressed out about a deadline!

And thank you all for reading this blog post. and supporting me throughout this journey!

For the next 4 years, I am planning on attending the University of Colorado Boulder, to study computer science. For a concentration, I am not entirely sure yet, but I would love to either look at Artificial intelligence or biocomputing and possibly work in the medical industry. Also, I am interested in the possibility of exploring entrepreneurship at Boulder! Unfortunately, I don't have any grad photos, but again, thank you all for supporting me in my journey!