CELLebraTEZ

It’s almost been a month in grad school, and I am already questioning myself whether I can surive! The workload is crazy! I now know why everyone kept warning me about what I was getting myself into! Lectures everyday for 3 hours, reading papers, working on problem sets (and they never end) and lastly doing rotations to find a lab to join. And of course, you have to read papers for the rotation to be prepared to answer questions and ask smart questions. When people say there is no such thing as a stupid question, let me tell you, there are such things as stupid questions! What is the best way to study for your first exam? For me, personally, I found the tutoring sessions very helpful! It has been 4 years since I have been in a “formal” classroom setting and I found these sessions extremely helpful for talking through concepts and problems with fellow students instead of Professors. Out of class study groups. I kind of forced myself to join a study group and by far one of the ...

One of the reasons I absolutely loved UT-Southwestern when I came for interview weekend was because I learned about an organization called SPEaC, Science Policy, Education and Communication Club. Just as the name suggests, the organization helps students sharpen their skills in science advocacy, educational outreach and science communication. This weekend, I participated in an amazing educational outreach program at the Perot Museum. Check out the pics!! ~Cell-ebraTez

Today was the first day of lab rotations and it couldn't have gone more perfect. It was exactly what I needed today!!  1. My first day in lab since May!  2. I learned how to do perfusions.  3. I dissected at least 10 mice collecting adipose depots as well as other tissues I have never done before! The diagram shows some of the fat pads I removed, didn't need all of them shown below.  I was afraid I would have forgotten alot of my lab techniques, but I am glad that a world tour could not take those away from me! :D Stay tuned for more lab fun!!  ~Cell-ebraTez

I survived the first week of Graduate School! Phewphhh!!  Core courses (Systems Biology, Genes, Proteins, Cells, Biostatistics) are no joke! Three hours of lecture everyday, 1 lit review, 1 experimental design problem set and 1 biostatistics problem set all in a week... And rotations have not even started!!  Next task in the next few weeks is to figure out the best way to manage my time between classes and rotations as well as study for my first exam :-O  Wish me luck!! ~Cell-ebraTez

It’s August and as promised I am back! The last two months were the most incredible months of my life! My appetizer sampler plate of Europe was life changing. My favorite part? Impossible to say! Every city had so much to offer and I had such unique experiences. Switzerland: I went to Zurich and Interlaken. Zurich offered a nice big city feel while Interlaken had such beautiful mountains to experience. Germany: Spent about 24 hours in Stuttgart visiting my old Lab that was there for an Elastin conference. While in Stuttgart, I took a 40 min train to Heidelberg. Seems as though Stuttgart might be a sister city to St. Louis, because there was a compass in the middle of the town center and the only US city that it highlighted was STL (which is quiet random). Hungary: Budapest was an amazing city! I wish I had more time to walk around and visit more of the ruin pubs. Definitely on the list to visit again. Croatia: I have never seen such beautiful blue water in my life. The...

2016s been all about dreams come true! Checking off so many things on my bucket list, here’s yet another bucket list item about to get checked off! Today I depart for my 3 week vacation to Europe! I call it my Appetizer Sampler Plate of Europe! I start out in Zurich, Switzerland --> Stuttgart, Germany --> Budapest, Hungary --> Split, Croatia --> Rome, Italy --> Granada, Spain --> Madrid, Spain --> Barcelona, Spain --> Paris, France --> London, UK --> Leicester, UK. After Europe, I fly to Hyderabad, India for another 3 weeks to visit my Maasi (Mom’s Sister) and my maternal grandparents (Nanu and Nani).   While in India, I will take a short trip to explore South India and visit: Hyderabad --> Chennai --> Banglore --> Cochin --> Munnar --> Allepey --> Goa --> Hyderabad.  Goodbye USA... See you back in August! ~Cell-ebraTez

Today marked an end of a huge chapter in my life. I finished working at Washington University to embark on a journey as a student obtaining my PhD in Biomedical Sciences. The ride has been bumpy getting to finally getting admissions into a PhD Program. After several times of applying I can honestly say I have received the most number of rejection letters anyone could receive to the point that I think I have learnt to deal with rejection very well (usually a pint of cookies and cream ice cream does it for me)! Living in Saint Louis alone as a young scientist-wanna-be has taught me so much: to balance my professional life, social life, and person life. I have built relationships in this city that I had not dreamt of! The last 2.5 years have been some of my most wonderful and memorable ones. Quick shout out to: ·       My parents/sister- for believing in me even when I didn’t ·       Dr. Robic- For keeping an eye out for opportu...