Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
46 Research Reflection by Gabriel LaBrin
Gabriel LaBrin
Faculty Mentor: Valerie Vaughn (Internal Medicine, University of Utah)
Entering into this summer, I was hopeful to participate in an experience that would tie together research and populations vulnerable to being harmed by our health system. I was lucky enough to find Dr, Valerie Vaughn is for these research and assisting these exact populations, especially in the realm of antibiotic stewardship. This research experience has perfectly encapsulated the components I had hoped for, allowing me to conduct extensive research on whether or not there are psychological biases present in the development of clinical guidelines, which if evident could be very detrimental to all populations but especially vulnerable ones.
Spending time sorting through hundreds of recommendations, creating data acquisition tools through repeated trial and error, and learning how to interpret said data were not easy tasks. And yet, they have been vital in growing my capability for research in addition to my awareness of the need for well-conducted research with a goal to help improve care for all. After this research experience, I look forward to pursuing additional research opportunities throughout the rest of my academic career and into my professional career.
Through this experience, I was able to work as a full-time researcher in the Healthcare, Educators, Leaders & Innovators Complex (HELIX) building. Dr. Valerie Vaughn has been a phenomenal mentor. She is an incredibly hard worker who seamlessly intertwines passion and enthusiasm with academic and clinical work. She has inspired me this past summer to work hard and to allow my own passion and the passion of those around me to motivate and inspire me to help others.
I have been able to shadow Dr. Vaughn in numerous situations, attending weekly Hospital Internal Medicine Department meetings, weekly Internal Medicine Grand Rounds meetings, and quarterly Utah Quality Assurance Laboratory meetings, allowing me to observe her daily professional life as well as make connections with other medical professionals, whom I would continue to reach out to for insight throughout my research experience.
Working with passionate and caring researchers and professionals who strive to serve those around them in every way possible has given me hope and excitement to do the same now and in the future in my own interactions.