Gebeyehu Ayalew

Biology Major
University of Maryland, Baltimore County SRTP Project: Identification of Neurotransmitters in Drosophila Peripheral Nervous System
SRTP Faculty Mentor: Yuh Nung Jan, Ph.D.

 

How did you hear about the SRTP?
A student from my school that had previously done the program recommended that I look into it. Taking his suggestions, I did further research and decided to apply to the program.

What were your expectations going in to the program? Did the program meet these expectations?
I went into the program with the expectation of working in a good lab and meeting people that have similar aspirations as myself. In addition to meeting these expectations, I was able to also form a strong network with people at UCSF and get a sense of what graduate school is going to be like in the future.

What did you learn / what skills did you acquire? Did you learn anything unexpected?
In lab, I learned skills such as antibody labeling, using a confocal microscope, dissecting a fly larvae and a lot of fly genetics that are associated in dealing with fruit flies. Outside of lab, I learned that it is possible to live 3000 miles away from home and still survive independently.

What did you think of the learning environment?
Because USCF is primarily composed of graduate students, I felt a sense of professionalism and a drive to extend my learning capabilities and ways of thinking about problems. The lab that I worked in this summer had mostly post docs and a few graduate students. This gave me an intrinsic motivation to work as hard and learn as much as I can to increase my level of learning in hopes of one day reaching a level of intellect that I saw in people like my mentor.

What are your future plans? Did the SRTP have any influence on these plans?
My future plan is to pursue either an M.D. or an M.D/Ph.D degree. SRTP showed me that graduate school can be very demanding but yet very exciting and also fulfilling. However, I have not decided which degree I am going to pursue.

Would you recommend SRTP to other students in your field of study?
Yes. Regardless of what a student’s plans are for the future, I would recommend being part of a renowned program such as STRP. Not only does it serve as an interesting experience in a student’s research career but it also establishes good work skills and the idea of working in a professional atmosphere and dealing with people that work at a top institute. It also introduces one to graduate life and a mature environment where people are motivated and very focused at what they do.

Do you have any additional comments about the SRTP that you'd like to share with students interested in applying?
I enjoyed the program very much. The students in my program where very friendly and a great company to hang out with. We did a lot of activities outside of lab and explored what San Francisco has to offer to the fullest. The student advisors were also very friendly and very approachable. Overall, I really enjoyed my summer at UCSF.