After six weeks of gaining experience my time at the University of Houston working in professor Baldelli’s lab has come to an end.
Monday was spent continuing my attempts at finding an image. But even through all my attempts it was extremely difficult to find a clear, highly resolved image.
Tuesday was another day of adjusting and changing things to get a clear image. I even re-did all of my calculations in order to double check that I was setting my things up correctly. I found no error in what I had done before. A big equation we have been utilizing in my lab is Bragg’s Law. This law essentially can give you the angle that you want to set your second set up at. With no errors in my math I grew confused on what I could do next. Obviously, my alignment was off since I was not getting the image I had wanted. So I decided to go back to basics.
Wednesday felt like taking a million steps back, but since this was my last week I was scared that I would not get any valuable images. But, I truly felt as if taking a step back was very necessary. As important as this skill was in the lab, this skill also is very precious in our life. Taking a moment, taking a breath and even just going back a little and slowing down is needed at times. One shouldn’t feel as if they need to rush through everything. So, I changed my object for a basic reflector. This meant it was just a laser beam going through my optical system instead of a complex image. Once I felt everything was aligned properly I double checked my measurements. I then exchanged my regular reflector for my regular image. I strove to find a highly resolved image. Then, like a crisp breath after being underwater for too long , the image I had been working so persistently to get appeared.
Thursday was an easy day; I simply worked on making my image even more clear. I just twisted little knobs and adjusted things very minimally. These little changes were quite the difference and I was able to get an extremely clear image. After this success I worked on a new presentation That I was going to present to my research group the next day.
Clear image
Friday was pretty straight forward, I presented my research that I had done over the last month and a half. That was all I was asked to do. Saying goodbye was rather saddening. It was appalling that my amazing expirence was coming to an end. After finishing getting ready for my flight the next day I went to dinner with my RA Valeria. We had rainbow trout at a restaurant called Papadeux.
Saturday I was welcomed home after a safe flight. Quickly after arriving I drove to Telluride to make an appearance at the pinheads “The Science of Cocktails” event. I had amazing time at this event and met so many people and presented my work.
Overall this experience was one I will never forget. This experience has changed me as a person. I have matured quite more, trusted myself quite more, and gained confidence. I now feel as if I have the capability to accomplish my dream of becoming a surgeon. It has shown I can. I am beyond grateful for this program. I give a huge thanks to Sarah Holbroke and her team for giving me this unforgettable experience.
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