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Undergraduate Research at UMass Dartmouth
Figure 4. Phylogenetic tree of SIAT7 cDNA samples from Clark’s Clownfish (ACL), Three stripe domino damselfish (DAR), Three spot
domino damselfish (DTR), and staghorn damselfish (AmCu)
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zone and experienced new things in the lab and
learned immensely from bioinformatics alone. Being
able to get results from looking at gene sequences
and databases on local computers, and searching
national gene databases, I could answer one of
my research questions without even picking up a
pipette. As a biology student, I underestimated the
wealth of information bioinformatics shows and
how important it is to do these steps in research.
Conducting experiments in the lab is rewarding, but
interpreting the data, and understanding it is the
main goal. Through this summer research experience,
I learned to think about long term goals and
the bigger picture. Having participated only in shortterm
research experiences before, I was usually just
thrown into a situation where I had to think quickly
on my feet and do a series of experiments and interpret
my immediate results. However, being at UMass
during the summer, I could continue work I had
started before. This allowed me to see what a longterm
project entails. Data interpretation and relating
results to a goal is something that I have strongly
developed this summer. I feel much better prepared
to pursue more long-term projects. I have developed
myself as a critical thinker and a troubleshooter in
my research and found a new appreciation for the
study of bioinformatics.