42 Research Reflection by Jaclynn K. Smith

Faculty Mentor: Tanya Halliday (Health and Kinesiology, University of Utah)

My undergraduate research experience has been life changing. The vast research opportunities that the University of Utah has was the deciding factor for me to attend, however I did not know how much it would truly benefit me. Not only do I have real research lab and procedure experience, but I also gained incredible mentors, patient interaction, and the ability to be comfortable reading and interpreting published research. My future education goal is to apply and attend medical school so that I can pursue an MD and practice medicine. Research has helped me immensely in the pursuit of this goal because it is both a requirement and a necessity for practicing physicians to be involved in and comfortable reading and interpreting new research. Medicine is changing all the time and research is at the forefront of this change. I am incredibly grateful for the impact my undergraduate research experience has had on me.