Week 8: Ben

For my final week, I concluded the last of my experiments. I ended cell cultures and threw away leftover supplies that I had. Now, I am waiting for the last of my samples that I submitted for ELISA analysis. My wet lab efforts are now concluded for Immersion. In addition, I attend my last clinic of Immersion. It was pretty routine overall. I got to learn about the different formulations of insulin (short-acting, long-acting, and combination) and the different blood glucose profiles that will benefit from each formulation type. Also, I learned about the different types (or brands) of continuous glucose monitors, their drawbacks, and in what cases they will benefit the patient. I also established my collaboration with the Rafii group, and now we have plans to have a meet with their group, me, and my PI in Ithaca to talk specifics about the areas we will collaborate. Overall, Immersion has been a busy, insightful, and productive time. From the 8-weeks I was here, I learned how to isolate islets from mice and perform glucose stimulated insulin secretion, two protocols that will be useful for me moving forward with my PhD. In addition, I was able to network and gain collaborators that will expand on my research and give me more resources to work with. I am really going to miss the city and this experience, but I am ready to apply what I learned and execute the various ideas that I have gotten from this summer.