Luis Barraza
University of Arizona |
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This summer was literally life changing. I have learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my life. I've made amazing friends and I got to experience the Big Apple like I never thought I would. Everyone -- from the lab members, to the SURPEEs, to the office staff, to the administration -- treated us with the utmost respect and warmth. These things more truly speak to the level of excellence that Gerstner Sloan-Kettering functions at. Thanks again for an amazing summer and hopefully I'll be back soon!
Ellora Berthet
Harvard University |
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This summer was an amazing experience for me as a developing researcher. It was an opportunity for me to become a stronger bench scientist and also provided me with a rich setting for scientific discussion. Most importantly, the seminars and journal clubs helped develop a pattern of active engagement with the larger research community which will be instrumental as I continue my studies.
Katherine Helming
Providence College |
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One part of the Gerstner Sloan-Kettering Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) that I particularly enjoyed was the ability to be immersed in a laboratory while also having the opportunity to meet and get to know other undergraduates. The panels and seminars were very informative and helpful, and the lunch speakers were engaging and interesting. I also really appreciated the Kaplan practice GRE course. Hearing the chalk talks and seminar speakers helped me to understand my interests. I feel that I gained critical thinking skills through the journal club and learned many new techniques and skills in the laboratory. I loved spending the summer in New York City and enjoyed meeting the other SURP students.
Olga Herrera
University of Texas
El Paso |
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This has been an unforgettable summer, thanks in part to the friendships I have made with the fellow SURP students and the people in my lab. I can honestly say that if there was ever a doubt in my mind about obtaining a PhD, it has been completely cleared! I look forward to forming a career in science, and that is thanks to this program!
Chris Kim
Dartmouth College |
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I liked the opportunities to present information to others, in journal clubs, works-in-progress sessions, and poster sessions. They gave me the chance to learn how to organize information and present it to others logically and effectively.
Kristin Knouse
Duke University |
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The opportunity to conduct research alongside the most talented scientists has been the highlight of my summer. I not only learned so much about a specific scientific topic, but I also learned how to conduct scientific research -- directly from those who know and do it best. I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the concentration of scientific talent and resources at this institution. This program has convinced me that science is the appropriate path for me. When walking to the lab each morning, I did not feel as though I was going to work, but rather to a setting in which I was free to explore intriguing phenomena and have fun. My experience has not only increased my enthusiasm for a career in science, but also enhanced my ability to pursue one.
Carman Li
Princeton University |
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The excellent quality of research and the great diversity of research disciplines at Sloan-Kettering are the aspects that I liked the best about the summer program. I enjoyed working closely with my mentors in the lab and studying topics that are on the cutting edge in the field. I also benefited from the workshops on graduate studies and career development, as well as the opportunity to hone my presentation skills in the poster session and various lab meetings. The program offers many social activities that added to the fun of my summer in New York City.
Meredith Spadaccia
University of Maryland |
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The best part of the program was of course the lab experience, but more specific to the program was the helpful seminars we had throughout the summer. GRE prep and guidance about graduate school applications was extremely useful and appreciated. My experience at Gerstner Sloan-Kettering has been one of the best of my life. I have learned so much this summer and have become immersed in an incredibly exciting lab. I am disappointed that the summer has to come to an end, and I won't be waking up every morning to come into this lab. I definitely fell in love with yeast genetics this summer.
Alison Spencer
University of Rochester |
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Activities such as journal club and faculty seminars were very useful. Journal club was good because I had previously had a hard time knowing what to look for in a paper. This was true both in terms of looking at content and not getting so lost in details that I couldn't see the bigger reasons, and in beginning to evaluate the validity, etc. The seminars were good because I like seeing what sort of projects are being worked on, because I'm still trying to decide what I'd like to do in the long run.
Amanda Tilot
Albion College |
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At the beginning of the summer I was just starting to understand the concept of translational research and how it fit into the scope of the biomedical sciences. This caused a lot of confusion for me with regard to what the appropriate degrees would be if I wanted to pursue a career in this area of research. Thankfully, this summer I have had the chance to speak to many faculty and administrators, who have provided me with a wealth of advice and guidance. Basically I am now much more sure of what I would like to do in graduate school, and my experience this summer has certainly helped me find that direction. I'm really grateful for that! If not for this program and my experience this summer, I would have approached my senior year in a very different way, and perhaps made decisions about my future that I would have regretted even a few months down the road (location, type of program, etc.).
