Dear Lab,
Anyone on the pre-med track knows how valuable having lab experience on your resume can be. When I first joined a lab, I did it with that in mind, but over time, I realized that this was more than just a resume booster — this was my future. I needed to treat every part of the lab as my own: the equipment, the people, and the work. My goal became not just to contribute meaningfully, but to learn how to truly learn and to become fluent in reading scientific work.
The lab environment is unique, constantly evolving and always room for improvement. As someone with ADHD, I initially felt out of place and emotionally overwhelmed. I wanted to be excellent immediately, but I had to come to terms with the fact that it takes time to develop expertise. I didn’t like being bad at things, haha. But now, I feel that I’m making progress. I’m running my own experiment, acquiring new skills, and there’s still so much left to learn.
What I’ve come to appreciate most is how the lab forces you to adapt and find ways to make your approach work, even when things don’t go as planned. Sometimes, the experiment doesn’t yield results, or a machine breaks down. It’s in those moments that you learn not just the science, but resilience — how to fail and come back stronger. The patience I’ve had to develop is teaching me more than I initially expected. I’m beginning to understand the real value of the process, not just the end result.
The work being done in Dr. Burton’s lab is truly impactful, not just for my future but for the field of chronic pain research today. The work we’re conducting, particularly in the context of diabetes-related pain, is contributing to advancing our understanding of mechanisms that can directly inform treatment options. It’s a reminder that the science I’m learning now is part of something much bigger — something that can influence the lives of people struggling with chronic pain and potentially reshape how we approach pain management in diabetes.
In the context of my future MD/PhD journey, the skills I’m developing here are foundational. My research experience will be invaluable when I focus on diabetes, as I’ll have honed my critical thinking and lab techniques, as well as learned how to navigate the complexities of scientific inquiry. But beyond just the technical aspects, I’m also learning how to approach research with empathy, understanding the real-world implications of the work being done. Whether it’s chronic pain or diabetes, the ultimate goal is to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.
The people I work with have also made all the difference. I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by incredible individuals who not only share their expertise but also challenge me to think critically. It’s the kind of collaboration that pushes you to become better, and that’s something I’ll take with me no matter where I go.
The lab is teaching me how to learn, how to communicate science, and how to approach problems with a sense of curiosity and humility. I know there’s a long way to go, but I’m excited for what’s ahead. I’m ready for the next step, the next experiment, and all the lessons yet to be learned.
Signing off,
Edidiong
Creating My Autobiography 