Hear from past participants

Question: What was your favorite lab that you participated in while you attended the Academy?
Benyam: My favorite lab was during the second week of the Academy. I joined the tuberculosis-microarray team and this was my favorite lab!
Surafail: My favorite lab that I did during this academy was the mosquito lab where we got to dissect one under a microscope.
Scott: The gel electrophoresis.
Fasick: Drug resistance and PCR Lab.
Christina: My favorite lab was the ELISA test because I thought it was intense since your result could have a huge impact on a person. Definitely not a lab you would want to mess up on.
Ana: I enjoyed learning new things related to the science world and helping the world be a better place for everyone!
Zack: My favorite lab that I participated in while I attended the BioQuest Academy was the vaccination lab with the different clades of HIV.

Question: How has the BioQuest Academy helped you?
Benyam: It has helped me in thinking about my future career.
Surafail: The BioQuest Academy helped me come up with a senior project and also has helped me acquire some more knowledge on diseases in third world countries.
Scott: Helped me understand more scientific techniques and problem solving strategies.
Fasick: Understanding more about global health and how we can help. Also, how to use the equipment in the lab. More about DNA, RNA, Nanodrop. All I can say it’s LOTS!
Christina: The BioQuest Academy improved my lab skills because I got to perform labs I would otherwise never have done due to lack of resources at my school. I was also introduced to equipment I had never seen before like the nanodrop.
Ana: Thanks to Seattle Biomedical Research Institute BioQuest Academy I feel that I am prepared to head out to the real world that follows ahead of me in college.
Zack: The BioQuest Academy has helped me get a much better understanding of what a career in science might look like. It also taught me so many things about diseases such as HIV, TB, and Malaria, that are killing people all across the globe.

Question: Now that you are a graduate of the BioQuest Academy, what advice would you give to an incoming student?
Benyam: I really think that everyone interested in science should be part of the Academy because it really helped me with the next steps after high school.
Surafail: I would say to take every opportunity that you can get, while in BioQuest. Also, to attend every single minute so you won't have to miss out on anything interesting or exciting!
Scott: Have fun!
Fasick: Pay more attention! You’re gonna need it!
Christina: Don't be afraid to ask for assistance and never give up or feel ashamed if you mess up. Making mistakes is all part of the learning process.
Ana: Enjoy every minute of this opportunity! Make sure you absorb every drip of knowledge you gain form this experience because it will surely help you in so many ways. The skills I've gained through BioQuest have helped in my advance chemistry class this year The people at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute are amazing! There are no words to describe them. They honestly care for you and do whatever it takes to help you out.
Zack: For students thinking about applying, or those who have already been accepted I would just suggest going to Seattle Biomedical Research Institute ready to take in as much information as possible and enjoy your time at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute as much as possible because by the end of the two weeks you'll be wishing you could spend more time there.

Question: What is your global health story? What experiences have you had with global health?
Benyam: I have had malaria twice as a child growing up in Ethiopia. I specifically remember one of the times. I was 8 years-old and I remember shivering and feeling really sick. I also remember my brother being really sick with malaria and having to be in the hospital for a month.
Surafail: This can be related to your senior year project (past or future) or any international experience… - The only experiences I've had with global health is attending a Tuberculosis Case Meeting in Moses Lake and soon my senior project. Half of my senior project is raising money in all kinds of way to purchase mosquito nets for malaria infected countries in Africa. The other half of my project is to purchase handmade thermometers (not yet made) called WAPI's that will help people in Africa be able to determine whether their water is safe to use or not, and hold WAPI making parties so I can get my community more involved.
Scott: Apart from BioQuest, I am currently participating in a school project, which is also extra credit for AP Biology, to catalog bacteria types in the school gym. We are using swabs to transfer surface samples to petri dishes with growth agars. After time, we will gram stain the bacteria and catalog them with a microscope. We will then turn the information in to the school for an assessment of the gym condition.