TRAIN Scholar Sierra Lewis' Blog

Warm greetings everyone! I am pumped for the end of the semester yet it feels so far away with this looming organic chemistry final ahead I am less thrilled for. Although I have gained confidence thru tutoring and my teacher going over every question on the final I am still mad nervous. I might be adding too much thought into this and just not enough peace because I know I am so close to the finish line of my undergraduate degree that I do not want to risk any hiccups that can delay it. I will be more than ecstatic to close the history book on chemistry courses in my academic career after I pass this exam that is a GUARANTEE and the only thing keeping me going at this point. Wishing everyone happy finals week and have an amazing memory packed summer! xoxo

Hello mates! We are nearing the end and the feeling is intense to say the least. This week Josh help me run the results in the computer to get my results logged to see each gel mold deposit clear result. The results were intresting if I do say so myself even with the hiccups along the way that still did not deter the strong results I ended up with. One of the major Tortilla chip brands stated there is no GMO in their blue corn chip however my results show otherwise. Also, a local store brand tortilla showed GMO in their NON-GMO yellow corn chip. I was pleasantly impressed that the hummus from Whole Foods did pass the the NON GMO test that was amazing since I do eat it in my real life often. To conlude most of the food tested passed with no GMO in sight which was a delight to see.

Hello mates! I have came back after a stressful test in ochem. I am so close to the finish line I can feel it but yet the assignments keep me blinded. All I have to do is turn in all these assignments and do amazing oon this final exam and I will be in the home strech do achieving my goal of graduation. I will continue to hang in there with the help of my fun oulet my project. After letting my DNA samples for each food product sit after 48 hours I (with the help of Josh and Chris) prepared gel molds to run a PCR test to detect Plant and Other source GMO primers in my selected food products (shown other blogs). Now, it was time for the real magic to happen. We placed our sealed tubes into a machine called a thermal cycler. This machine heats and cools the tubes in a specific pattern, causing the DNA to copy itself over and over again. It's like a DNA copy machine on steroids. Once the PCR was complete, we checked to see if we got the results we were expecting. We used a technique ...

Hello mates! This week I was not able to progress with the procedures of my project so I just focused my attention on my Ochem homework (which was a a lot in itself) and my paper. I am excited for the end of the semester however this time of year always brings me much stress and sleepless nights due to all the assignments due and test preparation that I must do. O chem has been my worst nightmare and I am too excited it is coming to a close very soon but this nightmare will end with a happy ending of me passing and applying for graduation in the fall (cross fingers). For now I will keep pushing along working on my paper since I have spoke with Josh about publishing my paper for this project to add to my resume for grad school. Here is a snippet please advise of any improvements you see fit

Welcome to another fabulous week mates ! I started perfoming the procedures of my experiment and everything went smooth for the most part ! I did not run into any major hiccups perfoming my experiment thus far since I have only completed a portion of my project up until this point. Perfoming the DNA extraction this week was very eventful itself to say the least. It was alot of little things that made this experience one not to forget. First I had to grind all my food products making them easy to be pipeted into mircocentrifuge tubes which sounds a lot simpler. It took arm strength but I got the job done (pictures below to prove it).

Hello everyone and happy Spring!! I come to you with a tale of unexpected twists and turns in my research journey. However, fate had other plans in store for me. Despite our fervent preparations, we encountered an unforeseen obstacle: the absence of the GMO Investigator kit. Yes, you read that right – our essential tool for genetic testing is nowhere to be found. Josh advised ot should show up on Monday so until then I must wait to carry out my full procedures. In the meantime, I will use this unexpected hiatus to regroup, reassess strategies, and explore alternative avenues for advancing my research goals. Stay tuned for future updates on this quest to unravel the mystery of GMO prevalence in our food supply.

It feels good being back after a much needed break! I feel refreshed and ready to tackle th rest of the semester. I have been focused on geting my paper done and I have finished my background for my project which reads:"The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture has sparked heated debates and controversies, particularly regarding their impact on human health and the environment. One of the central questions is: Are GMOs present in food products without the proper labeling at local grocery stores. This question encompass concerts about the potential risks and benefits associated with consuming genetically modified food. The question at hand revolves around testing grocery store food products, such as corn chips and vegetarian sausages, for the presence of GMOs. This inquiry is motivated by the desire to provide consumers with accurate information about the genetic composition of the foods they purchase and consume regularly.Existing research indicates that GMOs...

Hi mates! This week has presented unexpected health challenges for me, impacting my ability to actively contribute to my project. I find myself momentarily stepping back to prioritize self-care and recovery. While this might set me back a bit on my project timeline, I believe in the power of resilience and the strength of the collective support of Josh. Life often throws unexpected curveballs, and I'm learning to dance with the rhythm of uncertainty. In this process, I've come to appreciate the value of taking a step back to ensure a healthier comeback which will be after spring break and that is okay. I plan to still keep doing up my project reseach while on break in hopes of finding suitable food products to within stand testing for GMOs.

Hi mates I know we all can feel spring break in our bones that is how close we are! It has been a process recovering from mid terms however my menatal health is back on the rise with that all behind me. When it comes to my project it has been a slow start however things are picking up.. I have chosen corn chips to digest if GMOs are present without the consumers prior knowledge. I am excited yet real apprehensive on what I will discover during this project. I do want to also try green veggies just to see if the veggies we have been exposed to are actually good for us and helping us live a more fruitful life or just contributing to the destruction of our health through our environment. Stay tuned for nect week when we go live into discoery.

Hello fellow mates! The weeks are flying me by with no remorse and some how I am still holding on. Josh and I decided to switch my topic this semester to something more my speed and flow with the way my life is progressing these days I am going to continue my reseach on the topic of GMOs which I started last semester and this semester I am planning to expand on that knowlwdge I gained and add more of course. Below is a sample of my complete prospal. Please feel free to give me any pointers or advice that is useful to my reseach and development this time around!

Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed the thrilling Super Bowl weekend as much as I did. Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to work down at the stadium during the big game, and let me tell you, it was an experience of a lifetime! From the electrifying atmosphere to the behind-the-scenes hustle and bustle, being part of such a monumental event left me in awe.As the confetti settled and the stadium lights dimmed, it was back to the books and the familiar routine of school. However, this semester promises to be just as exhilarating as the Super Bowl weekend. I've chosen to dive deep into the fascinating world of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for my research project.My plan is to build on the foundation laid in the previous semester, leveraging the knowledge gained to delve deeper into the intricate details of GMOs. Exploring the potential applications in agriculture, medicine, and beyond is a path I'm eager to tread. From understanding the underlying science to examini...

Greetings! Starting to get back into the flow another week at school means new challenges and exciting opportunities. I've been wrestling with the decision of choosing between biofuels and GMOs for my project, and the scales seem to be tipping towards the fiery world of biofuels. There's an undeniable thrill in the prospect of lighting things on fire in the name of science. The combustion aspect of biofuel research promises a hands-on experience that sparks both curiosity and excitement. The prospect of contributing to sustainable energy solutions is an adrenaline rush in itself. However, my fascination with biofuels doesn't negate the compelling allure of GMOs.Researching GMOs offers a chance to take a deep look into the future, not just for me but for humanity as a whole. The implications of genetic engineering extend far beyond the confines of a classroom project. Understanding how genetically modified organisms can revolutionize agriculture and medicine might just be th...

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is having a smoother time getting back into the school flow of life again. It has been a bit of a struggle for me getting back into the school flow after winter break has been a bit like trying to jump back into a fast-moving river. As I reflect on my academic journey thus far, I must choose a banging project topic. Both biofuels and GMOs offer a chance to make a meaningful contribution to my understanding of scientific advancements. Biofuels could be the key to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future, while GMOs hold the promise of revolutionizing agriculture and medicine. The decision, however, is not just about the topics themselves but also about my interest and curiosity. As I weigh the pros and cons of each option, I find myself drawn to the potential impact of both biofuels and GMOs on our world. It's a tough choice, but I believe that the key lies in exploring what truly resonates with me and aligns with my academic and personal interests an...

Hello everyone! I can not say I am ecstatic to be back at school however I am excited that each semester I am getting closer to graduate and that is my happy place where I will stay during these last few tough semesters ahead of me. I enjoyed my winter break heavily it was a tad bit heavenly since I got to see my favorite cousin on my mom side of the family. I spent the whole break with her in Fort Lauderdale FL it was pardise minus the rainstorms that would like a few minutes. I still however had a blast and it was much deserved after the fall semester I had..passing organic chemistry took the life out of me. I had to celebrate the fact I made it all the way through and passed on my first time around. I am hoping for that same stride to make it through the home strech of this second semester of OCHEM. Wishing everyone a successful year and good luck with on your projects!

Here we are at the end of the road and it feels amazing!! I am so happy I made it to the end of the semester in one peice since this was one of the toughest semester for myself by far. I am proud of myself for just making it this far and I am just crossing my fingers I pass all my classes this year. I have had some high and lows this semester forsure but it was all worth it I can say. I am also satisfied with my project as well this year it went smooth from start to finish it could've went better. The only thing that would make me feel less of a champion in this moment is if I get news I did not pass organic chemistry so if anyone can put in a good word for me I would apperiate it greatly! Hope you guys have a wonderful winter break.

School is nearing the end and I can not be more ecstatic! I am so ready for break I can taste it. I am trying to not freak out with finals coming up and the pressure that I must pass ochem. I am starting to finish up my paper yet I still am missing a few peices which I will review with Josh further. I included my results section down below for your review and pictures of my sucessful plates with green flurescent protein. "Among the plated bacterial colonies, one distinctive observation emerged — a single plate exhibited a conspicuous glow under UV light after an incubation period. The glowing plate indicated successful expression of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene, a trait carried by the pGLO plasmid. This notable fluorescence is attributed to the integration and expression of the foreign DNA within the bacterial cells. The growth on the ampicillin-containing plates signifies the effectiveness of the ampicillin resistance gene as a selection maker, meaning only the tran...

Oh boy it has been an eventful week in a half for me! I worked a big event in Las Vgeas which was amazing and everything I could have ever imagined but when I tell you I am exhausted it does not even makes sense how I was able to drive four hours home to Phoenix after a 12 hr shift for 4 days straight but I had no choice because school stops for no one. Even though I have not been physically in the lab I have been working on my paper a bit and I started a new section in my paper which is my research question since I haven’t had much time lately so I formulated my research question as “Is it possible for a genetically transformed organism to pass on its genetic makeup and traits to its offspring and future generations?” I have plans to add more to it bur for now this is a start..how are you guys papers coming along?

Hii guys! The weather lately has been beyond beautiful hope yall are enjoying this as much as I am because it is a true treat, I love this time of year something about it is just so therapeutic. In the last week I have slowly started to work on my paper more. Here is a sample of my abstract – please let me know where I can improve or what tweks I should make to it! “Genetic bacterial transformation is a pivotal process in microbial evolution, biotechnology, and scientific research. This exploration aims to unravel the heritability of genetically modified traits within microbial populations. Following a meticulously designed protocol, non-pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) were subjected to the introduction of the pGLO plasmid, carrying both the ampicillin resistance gene and the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene. The experiment aimed to explore whether the transformed genetic material could be stably inherited over multiple generations. Notably, the results unveiled a singula...

A new week another lesson it feels like these days in my life. I am feeling the weeks fly me by intensely and I do not like this feeling however I am excited the semester is going to be done sooner it seems which is a tad bit exciting yet still a little stressful. However, being in the lab always makes things a bit better. This week I decided not to do a another round of my experiment just because I feel like the first time was special and doing it again will not be as magical as the first time. Which should not matter but to me it does and I feel like when you do things right why fix it so I am just going to do with my first data collection results for my paper. I have not finished a new section yet in my paper because I have been just so swapped with my other classes and work but I do have plans to work on it more next weekend.

Hii everyone! Hope everyone is just as busy as I am with these midterms coming around the corner. I am hoping I pass this semester of organic chemistry with every bone in my body I will try to do my best to get it done if it is the last thing I do. I have been working on my paper here and there in between the time I am working and stressing about chemistry. I have been working on the more simple sections first because why not knock them out since they are the easiest. I have completed the materials section so far. In the meantime, Josh mentioned I can do another round of my experiment since it took a short amount of time to do my actual experiment but I do not know if I want to but I will keep you updated on what I decide in the few coming weeks.