Summer is drawing to a close, and Shannoy is finishing up her time in Portland. She shared a few highlights from the past couple of weeks, and we cannot wait to see a recap of her final presentation!
- While I was shadowing in the OR, I was invited to a dinner with a group of physicians, people who work in the biotech industry, and scientists. Throughout the dinner, I got to learn more about what they do and ask questions about the MD route, because that’s what I’m interested in. It was so cool to hear their stories and see their pathways to get there. I like seeing how their stories are similar to how my story is unfolding. I got to learn a lot of new stuff, because I’ve never really researched much about working in the biotech industry. It was very interesting.
- We had a career roundtable where I got to speak with different professionals, ranging from scientists, to someone who has an MD-PhD, to someone who took the MD route, to people who work in the biotech industry. It was pretty interesting to have these conversations with individuals who have been through the experience. It is really mind-blowing, and it makes me realize that if they have done it, then I can also do it.
- On that same day, I met someone who is going to Wesleyan with me in the fall! What a small world it is! I had a great time getting to chat with someone who’s going to be taking the same route with me, starting college in the fall.
- With my internship, we had a barbecue. It was hosted at one of the directors’ houses, and the food was great. I really enjoyed it. We played card games, which was pretty fun. And I like that as we come closer to the end of my internship, I still have opportunities to bond with my fellow interns.
- In the lab, I’ve primarily been doing immunofluorescence staining, which is when I’m adding different antibodies to tumor slices to look for particular reactions. When we add the antibodies, it has a fluorophore, meaning that it will reflect light and create a color. So if I add this antibody that has fluorophore, if the tumor slice is present for CD31, for example, which is endothelial cells, I can see it through the microscope by the color that I added the antibody.
- I’m preparing for my oral presentation and the poster ceremony that we’re going to have. Everything is pretty interesting as I’m closing toward the end. I’m having a good time, and I’m very excited to enjoy my last weeks of this program.
This summer, recent high school graduate Shannoy Fraser is spending two months at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland participating in a competitive internship researching pancreatic cancer tumors.
Special thanks to Hall supporter Jeff Winter and Dr. Jonathan Brody, Ph.D. Professor & Vice Chair, Research, Dept. of Surgery, Associate Director, Translational Research, BCCPC at the STEMPrep-OHSU Internship Program at Oregon Health & Science University for sharing this amazing opportunity and working with Hall to get Shannoy into this exciting program.
Throughout the summer, Shannoy is sharing thoughts about her experiences both in and out of the lab on Hall’s blog and social media channels. Follow along with her journey on our Instagram and website this summer as she takes the next steps toward a future in medicine and research.