2016
Bridges
My research is to focus on the genetic differences between ethnic groups specifically, to study, mircroRNA-27, to understand specific disparities at a genetic level. Disparities are the differences in prostate cancer risk or outcome between a group of people. The disparities could be caused by culture diet, lifestyle, and/or the distance from the nearest hospital. Knowing about these disparities helps to understand the progression and treatment of prostate cancer. I will be testing Native American DNA and possibly Hispanic DNA that has been affected with prostate cancer. So far, all I know about microRNA-27 is that it is a RNA molecule that acts as a switch that has the ability to either promote or inhibit prostate cancer.
In the beginning of my internship, my mentor Dr. Wilder assigned me to work with Kristi, a graduate student, who has taught me how to perform various testings and the purpose for each of them. It seems as if I was her first internee who she taught because she frequently asked if her instructions were clear. Not that I don’t like her questioning, I just find it amazing how great of a teacher she is. She is nice and cares that I get enough exposure working with a variety of lab equipment that will be used for my research.
There are six lab students that I work in Dr. Wilder’s lab. The students are all nice and mindful that I am an intern who hardly has any experience working with DNA. I enjoy working with them because they are willing to not only help me but also each other since we are all doing similar testings. The only difference is that we are given different genes to work with. Right now Amber and I are helping Angelique complete her research. We are both given a region of a gene to work with. It is reassuring to know that their is always help that can be provided if Dr. Wilder is unavailable.
During the week, once I am done working at the lab I usually return to my apartment and eat dinner. I make sure to eat three times a day and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Not eating and not staying hydrated would not benefit my health. I find it important to eat, that way you are able to function and think clearly. I also make sure to cook dinner, rather than warm up pizza bagels. Mmm.. pizza bagels are really good, but not a good idea to eat consecutive nights. Living on my own, I thought now I can buy myself pizza bagels, something that I hardly eat. However, it only lasted for the first week. I keep myself occupied with reading, browsing through the internet, and watching some Korean Drama. Korean Drama (a.k.a. Kdrama) is basically tv shows that are filmed in Korean that is similar to a ‘chick flick.’ When it comes to being active, I hardly go to the fitness center. But when I do go, I like to begin my workout with the elliptical and then lift weights. I would focus on lifting weights that strengthens my arms and legs. Before I sleep, I make sure to set my alarm otherwise I would be late. So far, I don’t think that I was more than 10 minutes late for class and I have been completing enough hours of work each week. I am familiar with the main part of Flagstaff. I was born here, lived here until I was two years old, and I completed my last semester of college here, so I know how to make my way around town. However, there are places that I haven’t explored. So far, I have visited two restaurants, which are Nadli Korean BBQ Cuisine and Grimaldi’s Pizza which I never visited before. Other than that last weekend, I enjoyed watching Finding Dory, The Shallows, and Independence Day. On saturday, my parents let my younger brother stay with me, while they traveled to Phoenix. My younger brother, Caleb, choose to stay with me because he dislikes travelling, especially in the extreme temperature. I enjoyed watching Jurassic World, and shopping at Barnes and Noble with him. Seeing my parents and younger siblings as they drop off and picked up Caleb was comforting. We mainly hugged and chatted for a while. Sunday was when I ate at Grimaldi’s Pizza with my friend and her family. Overall, it is nearly halfway through the program now and I am enjoying my lab with Dr. Wilder as my mentor. I can’t believe how fast these past four weeks have gone by. Caleb and I
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Hello my name is Joshelle Tsinnijinnie. I am a member of the Navajo Nation, from Inscription House, AZ. Shí eí Kinłichíi’nii nishłį́, dóó Táchii’nii báshíshchiin. Bit’ahnii dashíchei dóó Tábąąhá eí dashínáłí. I am a student at Coconino Community College, here in Flagstaff, AZ. My major is in Nursing and I am studying to become a registered nurse. My interest in nursing began in high school when I took several nursing classes. In these classes I enjoyed learning about the human body and practicing “skills” necessary for CNA clinicals. Theses “skills” are understood as helping a patient with daily activities that they are unable to do themselves. I graduated from Page High School in 2015. I am the second oldest out of five siblings. I enjoy hiking, watching movies, and occasionally I like to read fiction novels. This is my first time that I have written a blog using Weebly and I got to say it was difficult to navigate through so many tool options.
The first time I heard about the NAU Summer Bridges Program was in a meeting with my TRiO adviser, Paula. She was well aware of my interest in the medical field and encouraged me to apply. My initial thought was that it's a great program to participate in, but I wasn't sure if I had enough experience in conducting health research. However, Paula assured me that this program is designed to give Native American students an opportunity to learn how to conduct health research. I am glad I joined the program because it didn't matter that I hadn’t done much health research, now I am getting the exposure to the field I hope to work in. So far, I like how much exposure I am getting in health research. Through this program, I got the opportunity to attend a conference. I was excited to attend the Native Research Network conference that was held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. I got to fly on an airplane for the first time and viewed many research studies. My favorite presentation was about how cases of diabetes lessen with the help of prevention programs implemented in Indian healthcare. Ann Bullock, the presenter, also mentioned the cause of the increasing cases of diabetes. Which was due to the stress and trauma that the Native American tribes had to endure, such as the Trail of Tears, the Long Walk, and being sent to dormitory school. I also find it interesting how other tribes besides the Navajo Nation are also experiencing a rise in cases of diabetes. This is a major concern on the Navajo Nation and I find it reassuring to see this type of progression occur throughout the United States. Along with conference we were given the option to tour Cherokee’s new hospital facility. The hospital had a unique set up of how their patients are seen. Instead of having to follow the system of having to wait to be called, check vital signs, and to have to wait again, you can immediately go directly to the facility that you need care in. This is unique because it allows the patient quicker access to the facility they need to be seen in. The following week I got to observe a student pipetting reagents into a master mix for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to occur. Before this program I never got the chance to learn how to pipet, in result I spent part of my first day in Dr. Wilder's lab practicing how to do so. My goal is to learn as much about the procedures of conducting a PCR, amplifying it, and other procedures that I have not yet experienced. I also want to see how these experiments impact the community. With the experiences and skills that I gain from this program, I hope to contribute back to my community and to improve the health of Navajos living on the reservation. |
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August 2016
End of the Summer Video |