Exploring the World of Research

“My project is centered around automating the widely used plant science process of propidium iodide staining, which is traditionally carried out manually. The Frank lab’s frequent use of this process and the substantial time it consumes became apparent through a correlation study. For instance, a lab member mentioned conducting over 150 propidium iodide stains for various plant organisms just last summer. To address this issue, our project combines engineering principles with biological processes to develop an automated system. By doing so, we aim to significantly enhance the efficiency of propidium iodide staining and streamline the lab’s workflow. Moreover, the high cost associated with existing automated tissue processors highlights the urgency for an affordable alternative that can be easily replicated in other research labs in the future. This endeavor seeks to make plant science research more accessible and cost-effective.”

“In high school I was widely into robotics so I knew I wanted a project catered to engineering. When I applied for this program in particular my mentors reached out to me to show me that this program was more than just about plant science but that it includes other engineered processes as well. BTI was so willing and open to helping me learn that I knew participating in a project like this would provide a safe and fun learning environment.”

“During my internship with the prestigious Stroock and Frank labs, I’ve had an incredibly positive and rewarding experience. This opportunity has allowed me to make significant progress in my coding skills, particularly in Python and C++, while also improving my engineering capabilities, such as soldering and project design. One of the highlights of my internship has been the chance to work on a project that merges plant sciences with engineering principles. This unique approach has opened up new perspectives and challenged me to think creatively to enhance existing processes and explore novel solutions. The support and mentorship I’ve received from the experts at Stroock and Frank Lab have been instrumental in my professional growth. Their guidance has inspired me to pursue further research and development, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their cutting-edge work. I am genuinely appreciative of this internship experience and look forward to leveraging the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to make a meaningful impact in the field of plant sciences and engineering as I continue on my career path.”

“I find that as an Afro-Caribbean woman my biggest challenge is proving myself to others. A lot of times diverse voices aren’t appreciated which can make an individual feel unappreciated or like they’re constantly second guessing themselves. I want to tackle this so that more engineers of color feel included and like they belong in spaces that originally weren’t meant for them.”

“My favorite part of the REU program has to be the weekend trips. BTI schedules three one-day trips to various New York places to allow the interns to experience a new part of New York while we’re in upstate. My favorite trip was Niagara Falls: it was so full of life and I even got to go on the Canadian side as well.”

“I feel like I now know a little bit more about my desired discipline and the necessary steps I must do to take it. This internship has just entirely fueled my passion and my love for engineering, and I can now utilize certain skills and certain mindset going forward. I would 100% recommend a summer REU for anyone looking to know more about themselves or their abilities in STEM. And the beauty of participating in a summer research experience is that next summer you can do something completely different. This way you can gauge your range of interest and keep from limiting your potential.”