Reflecting on Summer Research

This past summer, I got the chance to return to the lab where I had spent the previous summer, continuing a research project that’s been a wild ride—trying to figure out how to reduce the overexpression of ECM proteins in cardiomyocyte cells – also called the heart cells. Sounds fancy, right? It is, but it’s also the kind of hands-on work that I’ve genuinely come to enjoy. Stepping back into the lab felt like slipping into something familiar, but this time, I brought a fresh perspective, more expertise, and great excitement. Each day came with its own challenges, but that made the experience even more rewarding.

What Happened During the Summer?

Throughout the summer, I picked up some cool lab skills. I learned how to grow and culture cells, split them when they were confluent (aka when they were packed to the brim), and run qPCR experiments to figure out RNA quantities. I would also run Western Blots anytime I wanted to determine protein levels, and I even managed to perform transfections in multiple wells at once. Trust me, trying to keep all those techniques straight while staying on top of everything wasn’t easy, but it pushed me to be more efficient and time-conscious, which I needed.

I won’t lie—some days were rough. Some days I spent hours in the lab, trying to figure out why an experiment wasn’t working. I vividly remember trying to equalize my RNA samples all day. This was a long process, and to find that something wasn’t right by the end was energy-deflating. After 7+ hours of doing the same thing, we found that we had simply missed adding ethanol at a point in the procedure. I felt good and bad at the same time – good that I had figured out what wasn’t working, but also bad because I was exhausted and had wasted so much time already. But anyway, that’s what made the whole process so satisfying. I could literally see myself getting better at the techniques. And that feeling of growth? It’s what kept me going through the long hours.

My Research Lab Mates:

But it wasn’t just the science that made this summer awesome—it was the people I worked with. My lab mates were a huge part of what made the research experience so fun. Take Zach Pierce, for example. At the start of the summer, we didn’t know each other too well, but by the end, after what felt like a thousand runs to Publix for PubSubs (seriously, those sandwiches are amazing), we were practically great friends. Food and bad jokes can bring people together more than you’d expect. Oh, and once I discovered his full name, you best believe we didn’t let him live it down for the rest of the summer. It’s the little things like that that made the lab feel like a second home.

Then there’s Katie Sinex. Katie was just perfect. She’s the kind of person who’s always calm under pressure and ready to help when things get tough. Don’t talk about “bubbles in experiments” with her though. She never lost her patience, even when the rest of us were freaking out over a failed research experiment. She took the time to teach us, mentor us, and, most importantly, lead by example. I learned so much from watching how she handled the lab chaos with grace. And honestly, she saved the days when I was running late on an experiment and realized no one had ordered more antibodies. Katie was always two steps ahead and always prompted Dr. Dubash on what we needed in the lab— an absolute legend.

The Research’s Principal Investigator

And, of course, there’s Dr. Dubash. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate him—not just as a mentor, but as someone who genuinely cares. I loved his unspoken tradition of grabbing meals together, usually at different restaurants around town, which honestly saved me more than a few times. I’m a bit of a workaholic, and I tend to forget to eat when I’m deep in research, but having those planned meals made sure I didn’t completely skip out on food. Plus, those dinners were a chance to unwind and talk about things outside the lab, which made a huge difference. And don’t even get me started on that opera show, La Bohème—it was an incredible night, one I won’t forget.

Looking back at the start of the summer, it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come. I’ve learned so much, not just about lab techniques, but about myself and what I’m capable of. With the research project nearing completion, I’m more motivated than ever to see it through and make a real contribution. This summer helped me realize that I love research, and it has solidified my desire to continue down this path, maybe even go for a PhD one day.

To anyone considering Furman, or even thinking about diving into research, I’ll say this: you’ll find more than just academic growth here. You’ll meet amazing people, push yourself to new heights, and have experiences that will stick with you long after you leave. For me, this summer in the lab was one of those experiences, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.

Till Next Time, 

Charles (Kobby) Frempong