Hi everyone! My name's Daniel, and I'm a 25! I'm from Orange County, California and Seoul, South Korea. I'm hoping to major in Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health. If I'm not under my sheets watching a new Netflix series, you'll find me spending time at Still North Café or at the engineering building. I hope you learn something new about Dartmouth today!
Academic Program
Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health
The winter term, with daily temperatures reaching the negatives, I've been "actively" staying indoors to stay away from the cold! I've been ardently attending more office hours, meetings with organizations and advisors, and allocating more time for personal development. I've been contemplating, for all of fall term, what extracurricular activity I feel passionate about—what activity I'd want to dedicate significant amounts of time towards. My conclusion was science research!
I'm currently a research intern at Cramer laboratory at Geisel School of Medicine. My research investigates programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in "Aspergillus Fumigatus," a species of fungus. As some of you may know, immunocompromised individuals such as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or infected with diseases like AIDS or HIV are highly prone to fungal diseases—the immune system can no longer protect the skin from fungal penetration. When Aspergillus enters the tissues of your skin, it begins its work by causing significant cell death across your whole body. So, our lab's research probes methods of reversing and slowing down the process of apoptosis to assist those that are immunocompromised (especially cancer patients).
A contaminated petri with a combination of different fungal colonies!
What does my commitment look like?
Currently, I work 12-15 hours a week, spending my time at the lab for about 3 hours each day. What's great about being an undergraduate in a science lab is that you're able to formulate your own schedule according to your class schedule. I even have the weekends off! I was lucky enough to also become a paid intern, making money while doing something I love.
I began with basic laboratory skills like creating cultures, learning how to use pipettes and microscopes, and conducting PCR tests (yes, the same test we use for COVID-19). But, just after 3 weeks of working, I already began my own experiment, growing and analyzing my own set of fungal species. It has truly been a wonderful experience so far.
If you're interested in a specific lab or even a general subject, I suggest you take the chance and ask professors/researchers/physicians about potential opportunities.
Walking around the Wellelsey campus, it's clear that it was built with intentional incorporation of the surrounding nature. The architecture of many buildings were also mindfully crafted to support Wellesley's unique principles.
My first time in Chicago at the Society of Women Engineers Conference in Chicago, Illinois! Fully funded by Dartmouth, I had a great time meeting amazing companies and getting to know fellow women engineers.
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
Academics can be challenging at Dartmouth. But there are lots of groups across campus here to support you through your academic journey. Read on for my experience asking for help and a few organizations that might be helpful to you!
Every Dartmouth student is required to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. Here's my experience navigating the language requirement!
