By Anabelle Bergstrom, Peer Research Ambassador

College offers so many opportunities to study topics that you find interesting or that will help you navigate your future career. Learning logical reasoning skills through mathematics, understanding the food chain, and discussing historical sources for research are all great skills that can take you far. As I have migrated through the academic sphere and into professional workplace environments, I have learned how important another skill that is not talked about nearly enough: professionalism. Being professional goes beyond what you wear to classes or work every day. Learning the many skills that are part of “being professional” can open new doors, allow you to meet new people, and could even land you a job someday.

One of the many skills that is often associated with achieving professionalism is the way one dresses when one shows up for a meeting or for work. Of course, dressing appropriately for the event you are attending is important. However, being professional is more than external “what meets the eye” characteristics. You could show up to an interview looking the part, but that will not matter if you are unable to introduce yourself in a clear and confident way. The way you address people, eye contact, and being punctual are just a few of the ways you can level up how you portray yourself outwardly. These skills are incredibly important as you begin or continue to network with those in your field. Continue reading →

By Michela Brown, Peer Research Ambassador

Presenting at a conference can be an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience. This past January I had the opportunity to share my research at the Plant and Animal Genome conference in San Diego. It was the first time I presented my research, especially in front of scientists who share opposing or similar interests. I had a lot of anxiety and uncertainty when preparing to attend the conference, and I wanted to share some personal insight on how to make the most of your experience.

Building Confidence through Preparation

Confidence doesn’t come overnight; it’s built through preparation. When applying to present, you will have to submit an abstract (summary of your research) months before you attend. It is good to have the data you want to present completed before writing or submitting your abstract. This will allow you to know you are certain you will be presenting what you write about. Also, I encourage you to begin writing your abstract about one month before it is due to allow your Principal Investigator (PI) and co-authors to review what you have. You will typically have at least two months from the abstracts due date to form your poster before the conference date. It’s a great idea to use that time wisely and spend a few minutes a day organizing your layout, coming up with key ideas to add, or forming your data charts and graphs. I know from personal experience not to wait until the last few weeks to finish or even start preparing to present at a conference. I didn’t finish my poster for the one I attended until the week before I left and had to strategize how to have my poster printed before I flew across the country. I received my poster the day before my flight, and I felt an immense amount of stress that carried into the beginning of my trip. I felt unorganized and unprepared but managed to make the most of my experience after some time. Continue reading →

By Andrei Abarientos, Peer Research Ambassador

I’ll be the first to admit I’m still figuring things out: in my research, in my career, in my life. When people ask what I want to do with myself after college, I jokingly say: “maybe research, maybe medicine, maybe some secret third option.” The truth is, that secret third option is literally anything else. Sometimes, I think I could teach, others I think I could go into science policy or public health. Sometimes (especially around exam season) I think about dropping out, running away and living in the mountains.

I spent a long time thinking that maybe my personality was incompatible with research. I’m someone whose interests are still so broad, but much of research is narrow by design: you spend your time working on a specific social phenomenon, a specific protein, a specific disease. I was just interested in too much, I thought. Still, I jumped in, maybe for the wrong reasons; it seemed like everyone was doing research, and I wanted to give it a shot. Continue reading →

By Grace Vaidian, Peer Research Ambassador

In my previous blog post “Tips for Starting an Independent Research Project”, I provided advice on developing a self-driven research project. While the pursuit of independent projects is undeniably valuable, the reality for many undergraduate students seeking research involves participation in collaborative research. Solo projects need funding and resources, which can be hard to obtain alone. Collaborative projects often offer more accessible routes into research, leveraging existing resources and established teams. This could be through a research lab or joining a professor’s ongoing study. In this blog, I will explore key tips for successful collaborative research projects, drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned.  Continue reading →

By Darren Lee, Peer Research Ambassador

Looking back at the last three years, I can say with confidence that research is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had during my time at UConn—it’s been an incredible opportunity to dive into my field and understand the scientific process up close. However, I’ve also learned that it’s often a difficult, grinding process rife with setbacks and failures. Although it can be deeply satisfying to finally establish a protocol or collect a set of results after months of hard work, it’s equally true that a lot of the time, you feel like you’re on a long road to nowhere. Even as someone who really enjoys research most of the time, there have certainly been occasions where I’ve put my head down on the bench questioning my life decisions! Whenever I’m struck with that feeling, it helps me a lot to think about where it’s coming from. With that, let’s talk about some reasons why you might be feeling down about your research right now and what you can do to pull yourself out of it. Continue reading →

By Lucie Lopez, Peer Research Ambassador

Engaging in research as an undergraduate student can lead to wanting to pursue research as a career, which comes in the form of a Ph.D. for many students. This path was true for me as my experiences as an undergraduate research assistant, SHARE (Social Sciences Humanities and Arts Research Experience) apprentice, and IDEA Grant Recipient have shaped my career goals. Once I realized I wanted to further explore research by getting a Ph.D., I embarked on the journey of applying.

When I was applying, I had many questions, but I didn’t always know who to ask because I didn’t know many people who had been through the process. However, those people who I did know were invaluable resources, as they had first-hand experience and could give me great tips and advice when going through all stages, from researching programs to interviewing.

If you’ve just started thinking about getting a Ph.D. or if you’re about to go to your first interview, I hope the tips below can help you out with the application process. Continue reading →

By Riley Beckham, Peer Research Ambassador

Almost four years ago, I began my journey at UConn pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.  Like many aspiring engineers, I knew that I had chosen a difficult major. At the time, I was excited by the challenge and eager to prove myself in my chosen field. I knew the next four years would be filled with learning and growth opportunities, and I was excited to overcome the challenges associated with this degree.

What I could not anticipate at the time was how all-consuming my academics would become. I felt like all I had time for, day and night, was school. Wake-up, go to class, come home, do homework and study well into the evening, go to bed late, wake-up the next day. Rinse and repeat, day-in and day-out. Weekends? What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than studying at the library?
Continue reading →

By Krithika Santhanam, Peer Research Ambassador

If you’ve read my bio, you know that I am a pre-medical student studying Molecular and Cell Biology. This part of my UConn story aligns with my described research experience: an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Caroline Dealy’s laboratory at UConn Health and co-president of UConn Pre-Medical Society. However, my UConn journey does not end there.

After being in a STEM laboratory for 2 years, I decided to swim into uncharted waters and pursue non-STEM research, something your typical pre-medical student might not do. I also have an individualized major in Health Policy and Racial Disparities which provoked my current research exploring the experiences of individuals with disabilities in South India through UConn’s BOLD Women’s Leadership Network and a preventative screening volunteer for UConn Health Leaders.

How did I get here, and more importantly, why did I step outside the typical pre-med path? Continue reading →