Speakers

Composite image of students presenting at LEAP. Blue overlay, white text reads: "LEAP"

Abstracts: LEAP Panel A

Data and Research in STEM

 Gwynne Hayes
Title 1: Caring for Coral: Restoring Florida Keys Reefs Through Sexual Reproduction
Abstract 1:
This past summer I worked as a Coral Reproduction Intern at Mote Marine Lab’s International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration (IC2R3) in the Florida Keys. I assisted in the care of multiple coral species, and crafted equipment that was later used in coral spawning. My daily responsibilities included feeding coral, cleaning tanks, dosing diseased corals with antibiotics, and transferring corals between tanks so the tanks can be cleaned. I learned about coral husbandry, the state of Florida Keys reefs, differences in coral spawning between different species, and different types of work being done at IC2R3. A large focus of my internship was preparing for coral spawning in July and August. This included learning about the early stages of a coral’s life cycle in order to accurately build materials needed for all stages to maximize coral recruitment numbers.

 

 Sadie Blumenfeld
Title 2: Life in the Lab: Engaging with Behavioral Neuroscience Research
Abstract 2:
Last summer, I worked as a research assistant in the Schwartzer Neuroscience Lab at Mount Holyoke. As a research assistant, my lab mates and I aided the Principal Investigator in completing data collection for his study exploring the impacts of maternal allergic asthma on the neurobehavioral development of offspring in mice. My day to day responsibilities included facilitating daily behavioral tasks, collecting tissue samples, and analyzing video data. The biggest challenges for me in this internship were navigating a novel setting (I had no previous lab experience, and limited neuroscience experience) and being patient with myself while learning the ropes. Through this internship, I gained confidence in my ability to adapt to new environments and developed skills in time management, organization, and communication. In this presentation, I will further discuss my experiences in adjusting to the lab environment.

 

Katherine Gong
Title 3: Biostatistics REU at UMass Amherst
Abstract 3:
Last summer, I worked as a research assistant in the lab of Professor Leili Shahriyari, who focuses on data science, bioinformatics, and mathematical biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Under the supervision of Professor Shahriyari, I published a review on stochastic and deterministic models of stem cell dynamics in Current Stem Cell Reports. My responsibilities consisted mainly of researching and reviewing scientific articles on mathematical modeling in cell biology and drafting the manuscript for the paper. This research experience was challenging because I had little background in cell biology and academic research in general. However, I am proud of what I accomplished, considering the intensity of the work in a limited amount of time. The experience was valuable because I gained hands-on research experience, developed self-learning, independent work, and time management skills, and became more confident in pursuing a research career. 

 

 Isabel Hwang
Title 4: Data analytics using Salesforce/CRM Database
Abstract 4:
I worked as a Salesforce and CRM Banking Intern at The Bancorp. My internship occurred remotely from September 2022 to December 2022. My main job was to support technical and analytics projects to enhance the quality, reliability, and usefulness of clientele and financial advisors’ data. During my working hours, I conducted widespread research, gathered and cross-referenced information to consolidate duplicate brokerage data entry, and contributed to the execution of department-specific projects and initiatives through data collection, research, analysis, and administrative support. Through my internship, I learned the importance of attention to detail, research, and data analysis in the financial industry. This experience also challenged me to learn and apply new technical skills related to Salesforce and CRM databases. The focus of my presentation will be the close up experiences I gained through working with new databases that allowed me to better understand the importance of efficiency, reliability, and validity of the data.