Abdullah Afridi

Having obtained a research position in the first semester of my freshman year made me an atypical candidate for the URSP program. Regardless, there was no harm in it so I didn't find any reason to leave. This turned out to be a good choice because later on in the semester a course was offered to exclusively URSP - Protein Engineering, a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience, or CURE class. Taking this has so far been a very fun and challenging class. I get to learn about a wide array of molecular biology assays, but from the perspective of a chemist. It's also a really good thing to have on a resume, because I will have learned site directed mutagenesis by the end of the course. 
 

In terms of my actual research on campus, it's been a little lighter so far in the semester because my schedule is a bit crowded. However, I'm still very glad to have heard the personalized advice given by Dr. Donnelly about professionalism and what my ultimate purpose in the lab is. Another reason I'm glad to have joined the URSP is because without it I wouldn't have met Dr. Donnelly who has been a great guide to me so far because she understands, more than a general advisor, the life of a researcher. Doing research does seem like a way of life for many on this campus and that's one of the biggest takeaways from URSP.