This summer, I got to be part of the Science Internship Program (SIP) at UCSC, and it was an amazing experience. I worked with Dani Klawitter, for ENV-02, on a project that looked into whether fish effluent could replace chemical fertilizers and help suppress soil-borne pathogens, specifically Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum. Working with a mentor alongside other SIP students is a great way to learn new subjects and learn what it means to be part of a research team. 

During my time, I also teamed up with some UCSC undergrads on the International Drought Experiment (IDE). Our main job was helping with the clean-up, however my group also put together a report that summed up everything the project has accomplished. For cleaning up, we focused on taking out the sensors and flags from the ground. As for the report, it consisted of an introduction, a timeline, and the milestones that happened since 2016. Overall this experience helped me get a sense of the impact research can have the effort that is required for research. 

One of the highlights of my summer was getting to visit the beautiful UCSC coastal campus. Living at College 9, I immersed myself in the vibrant campus life, meeting many amazing students and forming lasting connections. Also, I was able to meet some undergrads and personally played rugby with the UCSC rugby team. The mix of academic work and social activities was a way to balance the rigors of research with relaxation. 

Overall, I strongly recommend every student tries to go to SIP as it’s a great place to learn more about a subject you’re interested in. It allows the student to do actual research and work in labs and locations that are normally inaccessible to high-schoolers. Also, SIP gives you a glimpse into the college lifestyle and helps you meet a variety of people from across the world. I enjoyed my stay at UCSC and enjoyed the SIP program, so I would recommend that all students try to participate in SIP or another similar program before college.

This is a photo of me with my SIP friends