Tyreen Sims
Class of 2005 - Present
Frederick Douglas Academy
Topic: 2006 Inner Ear Biology
Topic: Immunology of Celiac Disease
About:
Working with Dr. Sat and the Harlem Children Society this summer was by far one of the most intellectually stimulating points of my life. For the past two years my attention has been focused toward the fields of chemistry and biology. However, beside the information that I would receive in the classroom, I had no real understanding of the magnitude of work and dedication these fields required. Throughout my eight weeks I learned more than just the technical aspect of chemistry and biology, I learned about the passion and devotion many men and woman have for these scientific fields.
Ironically, when I first was supposed to interview with Dr. Sat, I missed the interview and thought I had blown by chance. However, one day I was home and Dr. Sat called me and gave me the opportunity to interview again. When I found out I had been selected for the program I was BEYOND excited. I felt this would be my chance to begin my pursuit of a goal I was very passionate about. I was placed at Columbia Presbyterian, in an immunology lab with Dr. Sanil Manavalan. During my time in the immunology lab me as well as well as my peers learned about a digestive disorder called, Celiac Disease. I learned that working in a laboratory takes patience, and responsibility. Scientist don't receive the answer they hope for on the first or even second time they do an experiment. Nevertheless they never seen to give up with out without a fight
During the second half of my Internship I moved to a Molecular Biology lab at Lehman College with Dr. Elli Wurtzel. Dr. Wurtzel was looking for a solution to the worldwide vitamin A shortage in corn. For three weeks I worked in a cornfield with the grad students at Lehman College . Through working with the corn I learned a lot about pollination and genetics.
Overall the Harlem Children Society helped me grow as a person. I build my knowledge of science as well as people skills. Coming form a school where 99% of the student population is made up of Blacks and Latinos, I had never worked with people of any other ethnic backgrounds. Although I was able to write this short statement, words really cannot explain how much I've gained from this program. My journey and exploration of the sciences will not stop here. I plan to continue my journey at a university level and take everything my mentors and my peers have taught me.