118 Research Reflection by Alyssa Curtis

Faculty Mentor: Heejin Yoo (School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah)

During my sophomore year in Spring 2022, I began my first undergraduate research experience under the mentorship of Dr. Heejin Yoo in plant biology. While researching in the HYOO lab, I have cultivated an innate curiosity and honed the patiences required for seeing a project through regardless of the outcomes. Initially I began assisting with several different projects where I began to improve my critical thinking skills and laboratory techniques. Through the guidance of Dr. Yoo, I was able to start this project for my thesis where I consistently encountered enriching challenges. There were times when experiments did not go as planned, or where I would have to adjust certain procedures or plans in order to proceed. These roadblocks taught me how to be innovative and flexible to changing circumstances. During the process of compiling and analyzing my results for a written report, I learned how to think about research papers and to create a conversation between their analyses and my own. The process of writing and editing was extremely nerve-wracking, as it would be for anyone who cared deeply about what they were writing, but I learned the importance of getting feedback from my mentor and other researchers. By going through consistent editing I was able to understand how to be more concise and comprehensive to readers from various backgrounds. One of the greatest things to come out of my research experience in the HYOO lab was the people I got to meet and work with, where I was able to be part of an amazing collaborative environment where questions were welcome and wanted. These experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to take charge of research projects and foster positive environments, both of which are essential to succeed in my graduate studies and future career.