Capstone fellows portfolio |
About me
My name is Nhi Ngo, a rising junior, and I am currently majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in Media Arts. I am originally from Orangeburg, SC, so I was very familiar with the Columbia area prior to attending UofSC.
Starting from my freshmen year, I am a member of the Society of Pre-Health Professionals in Genetics, also known as the Genetics Club, and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Chapter, also known as the Biochemistry Club. In addition, I joined the Neuroscience Club in January 2022 with my interest in possibly changing to a Neuroscience major in the fall. Whether I decide to stick with the biochemistry major or pursue the neuroscience major, I hope to attend genetic counseling school post-graduation and pursue my overall interest in the genetics field. Starting from August 2021, I have been working as a Supplemental Instruction Leader in the Student Success Center at UofSC. So far, I have worked as an SI Leader for Calculus I and Basic College Mathematics for two semesters, and I plan on continuing this work for my future semesters. In addition, over this summer in 2022, I have been continuing the work in a hybrid role as a Peer Consultant and a Peer Tutor for Calculus I, Basic College Mathematics, and Organic Chemistry. I have also been involved with research since March 2022, working under Dr. Jane Roberts in her Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab. The research involves children ages 6-72 months who are diagnosed with autism, fragile X syndrome, and down syndrome. |
While being in the Capstone Scholars Program, the event that I attended the most was the Hot Cookie Fridays. I would text my Capstone Scholar friends, Amanda and Jeet, and we would make it an excuse to grab a cookie and catch up with each other. During one of the Hot Cookie Fridays, I was able to talk to someone representing the Office of Undergraduate Research, and as a nervous freshman who had no idea where to get started to get involved with finding research experience, I was able to learn a lot from the person that I talked to. I inquired about how professor outreach and how to get started on finding a professor and contacting them for an interest in research experience, and she told me about the Faculty Database that was available on the OUR website. From that database, I was able to type in the keywords for the research that I was interested in, and I found my current lab and mentor, Dr. Jane Roberts, after sending a few emails. She also informed me about the Magellan Apprentice Grant that was available to Capstone Scholars, and later, the Magellan Journey Grant that would be introduced the next year as well. By making me aware that there were research grants that were specific to Capstone Scholars, I was able to apply and be approved for the Magellan Journey Grant in April 2022 for my current research lab. Being able to talk to someone at Hot Cookie Friday opened the doors for me to get started on getting involved with research, and now I am able to work on a project that I love and be funded for it.
I also picked up a new routine of working out and going to the gym. However, sometimes finding time to exercise can be difficult in the middle of the busy semester and about 18 credit hours of classes. That is why when March Marathon started, I was able to participate in order to keep myself active and motivated. Despite the goal of walking 26.1 miles, by the end of March, I walked, ran, or jogged 72.25 miles. Not only did having the goal of 26.1 motivate me to reach it, but seeing everybody else's progress made me compete to try and go above and beyond. Seeing the number of miles that I did for March Marathon made me feel proud of my achievement of being active when I thought I did not have time to do anything other than sitting at home and studying. |
Looking Ahead
When reflecting on my freshmen year, the person that I was back then was so naïve and could not have imagined the experiences that she would encounter over the next few years. My personality did not change necessarily, but I grew into the person that I am now. I became more confident with who I am and more expressible, such as submerging myself into my science classes along with my fellow biochemistry classmates, celebrating my sexuality at Pride in Columbia, and overall finding my friends that I am able to completely be myself around. I have learned that I am more than my academics, grades, or any number that a professor can give me, but rather a major thing that defines me is my passion and excitement about learning something new. I have also learned that it is much easier to talk to more people than I had thought when reflecting on the many people that I have met during Capstone Day of Service, the Civic Training Engagement Sessions, and any campus event that I have participated. After interacting with other Capstone Scholars at these events, I realized that we are more alike than I thought, which made for a very welcoming space to be in, regardless of being strangers before saying hi to each other. Everybody that I have interacted with at the Capstone Program in these past two years has been so kind and genuine because as Capstone Scholars, we know that we can be there for each other when we need it.
As I have seen, while it may seem like a short time, two years is a lot of time for you to learn about yourself and experience a lot of new things. For the next two years, and for every year after that, I hope that I am able to reflect on myself and be proud of the person that I will eventually grow to be. It is so difficult to predict what will happen in the future, as plans can change in a blink of an eye. |
However, I want to never miss a single opportunity that approaches me within the next two years. If my friends suddenly have a spontaneous plan to take a road trip out of state, I would not want to miss it for the world. If I find myself wanting to go to my professor during office hours for any questions, that is the chance to get the professor to know my face and build a better connection with them. With my passion for genetics, it can be hard to find people to talk to who have a similar interest in the field, so any opportunity to discuss any aspect of the discipline with anybody is the perfect opportunity to submerge myself in my future career path. I am already looking into any internship or job opportunity that I can possibly be involved in this field, so over the next two years, I hope that I have at least reached out and put my face and name out there, regardless of the outcome of my applications.
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connect with me! |
Email: [email protected]
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© 2022 by Nhi Ngo
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