summer plans

So, somehow in the past two years at BGSU, I've turned into a Biology major (after being undecided for one year, and high school science education for half-a-year). It was an unexpected, but perfectly fitting turn of events, and I'm excited about it. I won't go into the evolution of my interests and how I ended up here, because that's just too confusing, and I'm not sure I know. But anyway, I have embraced my science nerd status and I hope to eventually do something relating to genetics/DNA, whether I become a researcher and/or teacher at a college, a genetic counselor, a forensic biologist, or anything else that happens to spark my interest.

About a month ago, I applied to be an Undergraduate Student Research Scholar (second down in the left column) for the Biology department. I was granted the scholarship, meaning I will receive $2500, 8 research credit hours, and $900 to fund research in exchange for working full time as a research assistant for 10 weeks and doing my own independent project. I'll be working at Oak Openings Park, mainly with the lark sparrow, an isolated population. Luckily, Oak Openings is only about 15 minutes from my house. Because I'll be up with the birds (literally, 5:00 or 6:00 AM every weekday!) I'll be able to take one of the family vehicles. I'll be helping trap the birds, band them, measure them, and bleed them. (If you're interested you can read more about the project I'm helping on by looking at the website of the PhD student I'll be working for here). And for my own project I'll also be finding nests and taking the blood of the newborn birds to run genetic tests to determine the sex of the birds. (You can't tell by looking).

Last Sunday, I went to a "training session" at a location closer to BG. I had to be at the biology building at 5:45 AM for a ride to the location. I was really nervous I would be exhausted and absolutely hate the work. There was another girl there training with me, who is currently a senior in high school (who's taking classes at the university) and will be volunteering during the summer. From what I hear, there will be at least one other assistant and a couple more volunteers helping, as well, so I am excited to get to know some people with similar interests to mine. Anyway, I helped set up nets, remove birds from nets, and learned how to hold/measure/bleed/release the birds. I also learned how to use the 'scope I'm going to have to use this summer to locate nests. It was so surreal. I never imagined I'd be holding wild birds and poking their veins with tiny needles. The work was very dirty and pretty tiring, but also very rewarding. I'm looking forward to becoming more involved, and I'll be proud to say I did it.

What I'm mostly excited about is the fact that I'll be getting field experience AND lab experience this summer, and I'm getting paid for it.

This past week, whilst preparing for final exams, I've been running around trying to figure out paperwork and things that need to happen to make sure my summer employment runs smoothly. I have to coordinate between the PhD student I will be working directly under, the professor who will be my advisor, my honors advisor, the Office of the Bursar, and the Office of Undergraduate Research. It's been a bit confusing and irritating but at this point I believe I have it all coordinated. This coming week are my final exams (starting with Chemistry tomorrow...ick!). After that I'll be going to a leadership retreat for a week, and then I'll be starting my job the week after that.

More to come later on the topic of my independent project.

post soon to come.

yay.