# data[].attributes.body
Highlight: Learned about how traffic signals operate.

Bud: I look forward to continuing this project and obtaining results

Thorn: A lot of simulation errors and difficultly understanding everything that was going on.

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Rose: I produced work
Bud: I have labs that I may be able to work with in the future
Thorn: I dont know how I can actually use my lit review.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: learned a lot of cellular mechanisms of drugs of abuse

Bud: I look forward to being able to continue my project in the lab next semester

Thorn:  Having a chance to practice writing, which is not a strong suit of mine but this class resulted in great practice for writing

# data[].attributes.body
Rose:being a stronger writer and writing a whole research paper! 11 pages is a lot and it was exciting to be able to do that
Bud: honestly looking forward to applying these concepts later, now that I know I can write a research paper I will be less nervous in the future
Thorn: It is hard for me to read research articles since they are so long and complicated and hard to follow/focus on, but I feel like they are getting better

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: Being confident about my final paper and developing a stronger relationship with my mentor and skills for scientific writing.
Bud: I'm looking forward to working on this project in the lab in the next few weeks.
Thorn: Feeling burnt out and not feeling that I was good enough to write about science academically.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: Writing the paper helped me better understand my project and frame my question
Bud: hopefully getting some real data and results
Thorn: the lit review

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: I became a stronger writer. I am proud to have gone this far in the MHD program.
Bud: I look forward into using my new skills for future endeavors.
Thorn: It was very hard to study for the GRE when I was so focused on the final paper. My GRE math and reading skills improved but I hope the writing techniques I gained from writing the paper is seen on my GRE score.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: Finding a mentor and interesting topic
Bud: participate in the social aspect of the program
Thorn: writing a paper with limited information

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Rose: A highlight to my summer was a presentation I did with Ana and Jessica. We really had fun, and built a good friendship from the experience!

Bud: I am looking forward to continuing my research with my kind and supportive mentors, and the end of this pandemic lol

Thorn: I struggled super hard on my methods! But Ruben SAVED me lol

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: I learnt so much this summer! It gave me an insight to the process of research and I absolutely enjoyed the experience
Bud: I am looking forward to go in the lab and work with my mentor to pursue research :)
Thorn: public speaking, with so much practice I feel more confident during presentation

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: I learned a lot about current research in my field and how to write about my research project. I feel much more comfortable as a writer.
Bud: I'm looking forward to finishing the research person this fall and getting results.
Thorn: I don't really write a lot as an engineering major, so writing a 12 page research paper was pretty tough. I feel like my writing skills improved a ton with this class though.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: I haven't gotten Coronavirus yet
Bud: I look forward to mastering what I am doing in the lab and completely understanding what I'm doing
Thorn: I overcame extreme laziness this summer due to being quarantined at home.

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Rose: It was super inspiring to see how much I advanced in my writing skills. My paper sounds super professional and I am super excited about presenting my topic
Bud: I am looking forward to presenting and also finding a mentor within Infectious Diseases since I do feel more sure that this is the field that I really enjoy and would like to be in a lab where topics within that field are discussed.
Thorn: The biggest challenge was when I felt overwhelmed with the lit review and didn't know how I was going to organize everything or even what my topic was going to be exactly since I did not have a mentor or any guidance. But I feel very satisfied with the review I am finishing up and that would not have been possible without this class and especially without Ruben's help. Thank you guys so much!

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: Learning about what goes into writing a research paper and getting to work with the mentor i was interested in working with
Bud: Getting to eventually do work in the research lab in person eventually
Thorn: Having to shift the topic of my project halfway through and starting over.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: Got to learn a lot of new cool skills that I would not have been able to otherwise. Also being able to work with a mentor as knowledgeable and experienced as mine.
Bud: Being able to continue my work with my mentor for my Honors Thesis this upcoming years.
Thorn: Starting to feel a little tired especially with the school year coming in soon.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: Learning how to write about research in an academic manner and becoming more comfortable in my new research lab
Bud: Continuing to work in my research lab in the fall, possibly going into my lab in-person
Thorn: Improved my own writing skills. As a STEM major I don't have many chances to practice my writing and I was nervous about it at the beginning of this class.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: After finishing my lit review, I think I finally know what I'm doing in terms of my research project.
Bud: Actually conducting the research in the fall.
Thorn: Endless procrastination (Which I still haven't overcome)

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Rose: I'm very glad that I've been able to meet so many inspiring people through this program! I learned a lot about the process of entering grad school, but most importantly, I've met people and mentors that inspire me to continue reaching my goals and that I can come to for support in times of struggle.

Bud: This program has gotten me even more excited for my future in undergraduate school and where I will be come time to apply for grad school.

Thorn: I realize that I have a lot left to learn and although time management is not my friend, I have learned how important breaking up my work in writing is to be able to just chip away at the to-do list.

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Rose: my highlight of this summer project i think was when i finally nailed down my research question and the first big assignment i didn't miss any point which was the introduction and the lit. review. i was so happy because i finally figured out where i was going and i felt confident on it
Bud: I am looking forward to submitting my research to be publish the deadline is the 1 of September but im excited. i have a lot more to edit and add for it though
Thorn: a challenge i overcame i guess not having an offical mentor, although Ruben was very much like my mentor. I was nervous from the start and it only got better

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: we are all done!
Bud: finding a lab to join
Thorn: writing my literature review with no mentor guidance

# data[].attributes.body
never heard of this exercise, but I like the parallels w the parts of a flower!

rose: making something in lab that I tried multiple attempts at making, with limited success, and then finally making a good sample. Also, finding a lot more direction/a part of it that is particularly exciting to me, within the research that I am doing. Making the final paper something that I was proud of. Cooking a lot of good stuff.

bud:

thorn: covid 19 removed a lot of the ways that I cope with things and made some of the things that I struggle with harder, and june and july are typically the hardest months for me. Some days have been tough this summer, but I am still doing alright.

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: the highlight  was being able to work in my lab, despite covid-19. It gave me a real purpose  this summer!
bud: i am looking forward to doing measurement and collecting data! it looks like that is in my future soon, and i'm excited to learn about the optics involved and feel like i'm really contributing something
thorn: I'm in the middle of overcoming the challenge of balancing this last week and all these assignments, as well as the pressure of trying to get some data for the presentation, while also starting my job. it's been very overwhelming and i have about a million things to do right now, but ill get through it >:)

# data[].attributes.body
Rose: A highlight of this summer was being able to understand some part of my research and organize it in a way I can show it to someone else
Bud: I am looking forward to going more into the lab, having a project of my own and learning how to do more things around the lab related to my research
Thorn: I was really scared about the writing portion of the course since I did not consider myself a good writer, however, even though I faced challenges while writing, having to go back and rewrite helped me understand that writing is always an ongoing process and there is always room for improvement.