1. Reflection of Biomedical Techniques Course
Astrid Díaz
The Biomedical Techniques course was an amazing way of learning how
to do research. Its objective was to teach students to do techniques that are
commonly used in this field. Even though for some people this class may sound
boring, the idea of doing them in workshops created an interesting learning
environment. Understanding techniques like PCR, Western Block, and
electrophoresis is of great importance in the research field.The workshops gave
me the sufficient knowledge to feel prepared to go on my off-island summer
research internship.
As an undergraduate student doing research in an off-island university I
feel prepared to start a PCR reaction. I can say this because we did it many times
in our course. Doing the technique only one time does not give the necessary
practice to master a technique. Since we did it more than three times, most of us
feel less insecure when we enter a laboratory. Also, running gels with
electrophoresis is well understood because in the majority of the workshops we
did it. Not every workshop was related to important techniques like the ones
already mentioned, but some were simple techniques that are also need in this
field.
The first workshop, Micropippeting and Photo-microscopy, taught us how
a micropipette is correctly used and to take images using microscopes. Some
may think this is an easy task to perform but is not. Finding the things you wish
under a microscope is difficult, but thanks to this class we learned how to do it.
In the second one we had lessons on streak plate and staining techniques. These
two are very important in microbiology and are commonly performed in
laboratories. We also acquired skills attending to seminars at our university.
As part of the course we had to attend to at least four seminars. These
seminars are speeches of people that do research and share their findings. Some
of them come to our university to interview candidates for summer research
internships. Seminars are an interesting way of learning about science topics.
They helped us understand the way scientists talk and explained their results.
The course offered by the RISE program helped me become a better-
prepared young researcher. Most students do not appreciate the opportunity of
learning techniques that will later help them be more competitive in the research
career. This class has prepared me for my off-island summer internship in the
University of Colorado. Since I learned many of the common techniques that are
used in laboratories I do not feel so insecure while doing them. I have to thank
my professors for offering this tremendous course and for teaching us the
techniques.