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The CCRA blog is authored by Columbia undergraduate researchers, who are invited to reflect on all aspects of the research process and their own undergraduate research experiences, beginning (but not ending) with the Core.
Author Archives: al223
To Color the Void: Remembering Why We Read
For a recent philosophy class, I read a Socratic dialogue called the Phaedo, which relates the hours leading up to Socrates’s death. It’s a powerful text: after being sentenced by his fellow Athenians, Socrates tries to distract his students from … Continue reading
Posted in major research, The Core
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Thank you to Chile, and Thank you to Columbia: Logistics for Successful Research Abroad
My summer research abroad as a rising junior (2023) provided me with the confidence to pursue international research within the social sciences. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I worked with the Tourism Federation of Chile to develop their sustainability guidelines. Here’s … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis, STEM research, Study Abroad, Summer Research, Uncategorized
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Lost in “Translation”: Reflections on Language and Research
As my six weeks with the Humanities Research Scholars Program (HRSP) began, I felt enthusiastic optimism. I knew my project was ambitious, and that it would challenge me in unexpected ways (my biceps, sore after carrying a pile of dictionaries … Continue reading
Posted in Archives, major research, New York City, Summer Research, The Humanities
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Diary of a Wimpy Biochemistry Intern Who Asks Too Many Questions
My first day interning at a biochemistry lab, I messed up a protein assay. The array of instruments on the bench were new to me. Most menacing of them was the micropipette, and I didn’t know how to tell my … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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A Walk in the Park: Urban Lyme Disease Mitigation
Do ticks tick you off? Does the thought of Lyme leave a sour taste in your mouth? I don’t mean to frighten you, but, if you live in New York City, tick bites might be closer than you think. In … Continue reading
Posted in major research, New York City, STEM research, Summer Research, Uncategorized
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One Year In: Reflections on Research
My LinkedIn recently reminded me that I have hit the one-year mark since starting my laboratory research here at Columbia. So I asked myself: over the past year, what have I learned? Not only about translation in prokaryotes (which I … Continue reading
Posted in major research, STEM research, Summer Research
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Let Your Thinking Flow
It’s the middle of November, which means I’m anxiously awaiting the three days we’re given off from school during which I become more mashed potatoes and apple crisp than human. I say “anxiously” because while I cannot wait to wake … Continue reading
Posted in courses, The Core, Uncategorized, University Writing
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