It's Official

The wait is always worth it and hard work most definitely pays off. It's official, I have a mentor!

Weekly Report 1/08/2018 to 1/14/2018

“Persistence guarantees that results are inevitable.” This quote couldn’t describe the past week with any more accuracy. Thinking back to about a week ago, I didn’t have a mentor and was on the verge of panic due to the lack of responses from doctors. It seemed as if nothing was falling in place as I had wanted it to. However, as the saying goes “a new year brings new beginnings” and that is exactly what happened. Dr. Braga contacted me back stating that he could be my mentor and the delay was due to him making sure that he could mentor two ISM students. The news was both refreshing and exciting due to his profession entailing the specialities that both my research and interest lied in. Dr. Bruno Braga specializes in pediatric neurosurgery with multiple subspecialties in spinal disorders, neurological disorders, and tumors. As of now, the background check is clear and the timely finishing of this process is only thanks to him. Now, I am officially cleared for mentor visits which can start within the next few weeks.

In addition, Research Showcase is this week on January 17th and the board is coming together in terms of all the adjustments that were made to the board. The main task over the weekend was to create a brain model out of clay that serves a double purpose for both the research showcase and the original work. It was slightly easier to build due to some minute artistic experience in the past; however, I have no experience with clay. The original work portion would be to include the tumor portion to resemble a pediatric glioma and use the brain model as a prototype to depict how the motor senses that would be inhabited as a result of the tumor. As far as original work goes, most of it is completed due to original work being due on Friday. The treatment plan is the only remaining portion which can be put together in a matter of a day or so of free time.

Overall, the week has been immensely productive in terms of finishing work and getting ready for research showcase. Since the mentor situation has been sorted, most things should go smoothly here on out in terms of mentor visits and assessments. With the original work period and first semester coming to an end, soon it will be time to think about this year’s final product.