What work of art, music, science, mathematics, or literature has surprised, unsettled, or challenged you, and in what way?
(250 words roughly)
Most teenagers spend their summers tanning, going to the beach, and procrastinating on their homework. I spent part of my summer counting mutated cells and dissecting mice because I had the opportunity to intern with Ann Sutherland in the cell biology labs at the University of Virginia. I was introduced to different mutations in the mouse embryo, but hearing about how the experimentation on mice can apply to human issues really affected me. Her dedication to the gruelingly slow work of problem solving the long experimental models inspired me. All of the women in the lab work around the clock performing research that may help mankind. It is a very slow task but it could possibly have huge rewards if they made a scientific breakthrough with their research.
It impacted me that the lab was made up of all women. Science is a very difficult field for women to break into because of past stereotypes and beliefs that females are not as competent in mathematics and sciences. Ann's lab was composed of herself, two female graduate students, one female undergraduate student, and me. This was an amazing example of the strides that women have taken in entering the scientific world.
My experience in dealing with the research in Ann Sutherland's lab has inspired me to break into the scientific field with vigor. Her dedication to her work challenges me to do research of my own. Being able to intern at Ann Sutherland's lab has definitely changed my outlook on science.
