Hello Earth!

So, picture this: it’s my first week in the virtual Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship at Rice University. It’s been a ride—a mix of nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of learning packed into just a few days.

It started with a long orientation session the first day, but meeting my fellow interns made it better. Seriously, such a diverse and enthusiastic group! Dr. Zafar and Dr. Clay were amazing too, answering all our questions and making sure we had everything we needed to hit the ground running.

Then came day two, the day we met our mentors. Let me tell you about Sunny—total icon. She’s in her fifth year of her Ph.D., and she broke down our project into bite-sized pieces for me. As a computer science student, I was stoked to hear we’d be diving into Python for data analysis. I’ve dabbled a bit before, but learning from the pros? That’s a whole new ball game.

I got to meet Dr Vicky and the rest of the lab on day 2 to and every week, I and my partner John Paul will meet with her. Hearing about everyone’s projects and passions was downright inspiring. I left that meeting feeling like part of something bigger, like I was truly a part of the Rice research community.

So, what’s my project all about? Think data science meets epigenetics. We’re diving deep into the world of DNA, analyzing how it varies across different tissues. It’s like uncovering secrets encoded in our genes, and I couldn’t be more excited to crack the code. 

Oh, and did I mention exploring the Rice campus? Getting lost, hopping on buses—it’s been an adventure. This place feels so homey, with its cozy vibe and a lot greenery.

As my first week wraps up, I’m filled with anticipation for what’s to come. With mentors like Sunny and Vicky, and a project that’s as fascinating as it is challenging, I know the weeks ahead will be nothing short of amazing. Here’s to diving deeper into the world of data science and epigenetics—and maybe getting a little lost along the way.

Avey