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CAHNRS Department of Horticulture Genomics Lab

Undergraduate – Keeona Lawrence

Keeona Lawrence

 

Your name and what is/was your background (what is your major, why science, etc)?
My name is Keeona J. Lawrence. I am a Senior Plant Science-Biotechnology major. I chose science because of the diversity in research. From working with fungi to fruits, each aspect is diverse, but intertwined.

Why did you decide to join a research lab? How did the experience compare to what you had expected?
I decided to join a research lab to gain hands on experience. I feel that in order to understand the whole picture, you have to fully understand the amount of time and effect it took to construct such work. This research experience surpassed what I expected to happen. It gave me more insight of the various avenues of research.

What was cool, exciting, or most interesting about your time in the lab?
The most interesting things about my time in lab were the people and the research. The various mentors and students never allowed a dull moment in the lab; all the while explaining and enriching our knowledge about the research we were conducting.

If there is something in particular you learned or discovered that you’d like to share with others, please take a moment to tell us about it.
What I truly discovered while working in this lab is that each individual is uniquely and creatively different; therefore, when you bring each person together, you have accomplished and created a magnificent work of art.

If you would recommend conducting research in a science lab to others, what would you tell them to get them interested in the idea?
If I was to recommend conducting research in a science lab, I would explain to them how intriguing it is to perform research, and the wealth of knowledge and connections they will make on the journey.

We’d love to know what you’re up to, so please give us a brief description of where you are working or going to school now.
Currently, I am in my final year of college. I plan to attend graduate school in Fall 2012.

Did the lab experience help you with your classes or your perspective about science? Did working in the lab help you with developing other skills like time management or communication?
The lab explain certainly help me with my classes. It refreshed my memory of things I learned in classes, and gave me a head start on the tools I need for my future.

Was there anything in particular you would have liked us to do different to enhance your learning or interest from the time spent in the lab?
Based on what I learned this summer, I don’t believe there is anything that would have made this learning experience any better. The time spent in the lab was past perfect!

Do you feel better prepared for the workplace or future academic endeavors as a result of your time in the lab?
Yes, this experience has provided a major stepping stone toward my future academic endeavors.

Any other comments?
It was a pleasure to conduct research in this lab. Given another option, I wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything in this world.