Since I’ve been here, I feel like I have changed in some ways, especially because I’ve never done research in this manner before. Everything that I’ve been exposed to is pretty new, and I feel like that’s the change.
There has been an increase in my knowledge about how to conduct research about the particular topic that I’m focusing on for my project, which is pancreatic cancer, specifically pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. And I’ve really learned a lot from my PI, from my mentors, and the other people that are in my lab.
Also, getting the opportunity to shadow in the clinic and in the OR, I’ve really broadened my perspective about how to approach medicine. Previously, I always felt intimidated by surgery. But interacting with doctors and actually being able to see a surgery happening live has cleared up any misconceptions that I felt. It’s very interesting to hear about doctors’ journeys to medical school and towards their professions, so I’m really grateful for that opportunity.
As I navigate my lab experience, I’m learning that things that I thought were hard, I just need to practice. It’s okay to fail, because not all experiments will be successful. And that’s such an important thing to know, that even though your experiment did not succeed, you can still figure out what went wrong and what factors contributed to your experiment not being successful.
This experience has also really given me insight as I consider whether I want to pursue an MD, a PhD, or both. It’s been so important to hear people’s stories because it makes me realize that if they can do it, I might be able to, too. So it’s just really helping me to understand that some things might seem impossible, but you never know until you try.
It’s really mind-blowing to see that I just got out of high school and I’m participating in a PhD-level lab. Overall, I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and I just hope to use the lab skills that I’ve learned and the information that I’ve absorbed about approaching graduate school and college in general as stepping stones for my future career.
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.