7/24 – 🧬✨ A Day in the Life at Lehigh: Cookie Dough, Connections, and Curiosity

Hey everyone! My name is Anysa. I am a proud first-gen Latina from a loving Mexican household back in Tucson, Arizona. I’m super passionate about STEM, especially hands-on lab research and biology. Outside of my academic pursuits, you can find sipping on a Dr. Pepper, playing soccer/tennis, listening to music, or spending quality time with my amazing friends and family. I’m currently an SSP Genomics student here at Lehigh University, and today I want to give you a glimpse into my day!

☀ 8:00 AM – The Start of Something Scientific
I woke up, got ready, and made my way to our SSP headquarters (STEPS building), where all the lectures and labs happen. On my way to the lab, it was so humid! However, the scenery made up for it! The walk to STEPS today was filled with birds chirping, a bunch of full greenery, and deer! As an Arizonan this is truly a whole new world and environment for me. I love it.

💬 8:40 AM – Lecture on Belonging + Reflective Conversations

We kicked off the day with a lecture about belonging. During this lecture, we were advised to collaborate and confide in a new friend about our cultures and identity. Today, I sat next to my friend Lila, and we talked deeply about our SSP journey. It reminded me how truly grateful I am to be here, surrounded by such inspiring peers.

🔬 TA Talk: Research with Kacy

Afterward, we had a TA lecture with the amazing Kacy, who shared some info about her fascinating research at Heidelberg. Her passion was contagious, and it made me think seriously about diving into research myself. Seeing someone who once sat in our shoes now doing what they love was very empowering.

🍽 12:15 PM – Lunchtime at Rathbone (aka the uphill battle)

Rathbone Dining Hall is a bit of a hike from STEPS (stairs, hills, and more stairs.) Today they had cookie dough ice cream, my favorite! And my friends and I made sure to treat ourselves after a long morning.

🧪 Afternoon – Final Presentation Prep

After lunch, it was back to the lab for some serious final presentation work. My lab group and I spent hours perfecting our slides, reviewing our data, and practicing delivery. We also got some thoughtful feedback from our faculty and peers, it felt, it felt like everything was coming together.

🍽 5:15PM – Dinner time at Rathbone

After a long afternoon full of hard work, we went to dinner! This week I had the privilege of sitting with the G.O.A.T Mr. Cale! I was alongside my amazing peers: Sage, Edward, and David.

💻7 pm– Post dinner activities

After dinner, we went back to STEPS building to lock in. Each lab group decided to work on their final presentations or work on their manuscript. At this point in the day, everyone is starting to wind down, but stay locked in.

😴10 pm- The end of my day

After a full day of being locked in it was time to return to our dorms. Nights at Taylor House have a rhythm of their own! Where the aroma of late-night snacks mixes with echoing laughter and the occasional blare of an airhorn (we’re out past curfew)

🌸 Little Joys, Big Gratefulness

As I wrap up this post, I just want to highlight a dew moments and things that have made me smile recently – the laughter in late-night dorm chats – the thrill of solving a problem with my team, and the feeling of belonging in a community of passionate young scientists. Thank you to everyone here at SSP! And shoutout to my Lehigh Bacterial Genomics family!

Anysa

Lehigh Bacterial Genomics Participant

Hey everyone! My name is Anysa. I am a proud first-gen Latina from a loving Mexican household back in Tucson, Arizona. I’m super passionate about STEM, especially hands-on lab research and biology. Outside of my academic pursuits, you can find sipping on a Dr. Pepper, playing soccer/tennis, listening to music, or spending quality time with my amazing friends and family. I’m currently an SSP Genomics student here at Lehigh University, and today I want to give you a glimpse into my day!