Jon

"Fortune Favors the Bold."

"I’m from the relatively small town of Johnson City, a seemingly infinitesimal part of the more widely known Binghamton area. This summer, I worked voluntarily in an Organic Chemistry lab at Binghamton University. On days away from the lab, I volunteered at Binghamton General Hospital, worked at Cinnabon/Carvel, and explored the Catskill and Adirondack mountains. Needless to say, this led to quite a hectic summer but still more manageable than my schedule during the school year. Thankfully, with a flexible schedule at Cinnabon and in Dr.Callahan’s lab, I managed to have a truly memorable experience.

I first met Dr. Callahan when he gave a guest lecture in my biology class, after which I had approached him to ask about his work. One thing led to another and thanks to a vacancy and an interview I soon gained access to his lab. Under Dr. Callahan and his team, I have gained a thoroughly enlightening experience in a lab setting. I had no prior lab experience, and going into this vague area was quite the leap. In the beginning, I struggled to retain the copious inundation of information that was placed on myself; however, I now recognize and understand what we are researching.

The Callahan lab is studying the Human Sonic Hedgehog protein (SHH for short). The protein is found in nearly all animals and we are attempting to better understand the structure of the protein, particularly its substrate binding site. Manipulation of this protein could explain diseases such as hormonal cancers (prostate and breast), as well as be used in development of anti-cancer drugs and antibiotics. My job involved shadowing, protein separation, sequence analysis to study the protein and the similarities in mutations.

It has undoubtedly been an amazing experience, and has sparked further interest in biochemistry. I hope to continue similar forms of research in Buffalo. I highly recommend going out into something you have never done, regardless of your age, whether it be research, a club, or a sport. Fortune favors the bold."

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