It’s hard to believe that the spring semester is almost half way over! This is my first year on the BETA team and I have been learning a lot about the undergraduate research opportunities at UNI. I am currently a Sophomore in the Biochemistry program. I have always been interested in Chemistry and how it works with Biology. The BETA Project is allowing me to learn how the process of Biology and Chemistry work together in a hands-on experience. My role on the team is assisting Dr. Sebree with the aerosol chambers. For the past semester, I have been observing how to start the chambers up in the morning. In the fall semester of 2017 every Thursday morning at 8 am, I would help assist and observe the process of doing undergraduate research.
I have been learning that science takes a lot more patience for results than I expected! However, after being patient I now have a greater understanding of what it means to conduct science. This semester I have started to start the chambers by myself and learning how the chambers work. It has been very exciting to finally understand how the process works and apply my classroom knowledge to a real experience. I’m excited for the new opportunities that have been presented to me and how it is opening up doors to the science world. I never thought that I would be helping in undergraduate research with NASA and get to attend conferences to present our research. What a wonderful opportunity and I am so grateful for being allowed to help out in such a wonderful project. I am excited for what the future holds, and other opportunities that will be presented with the BETA Project.
-- Mackenzie Male
-- Mackenzie Male