Alissa Y.
Alissa was a student in the SSRP' 24 cohort. During her time in the SSRP, she developed a better idea of whether she wanted to pursue research as a career!
A high school senior from Edison, NJ, Alissa joined the SSRP to have a better idea of what research is and to see if she was interested in pursuing it as a career. Through her research project, she developed an appreciation for the diversity of science, and learned a lot throughout the program.
What were you hoping to gain from the SSRP program?
“I was hoping to gain a better idea of whether I wanted to continue research as a career path. I also wanted to explore the city throughly and meet some really cool people!”
How has your participation in the program impacted your interest in science/research?
“Ironically, I realized that a career fully in research wasn’t for me – but I still want to integrate the environment of research somehow in my future life. I feel more sure about my passion in science and medicine though; I enjoyed every lecture given here.”
How did the SSRP impact your personal growth?
“It introduced me to such a wide range of amazing, driven people which truly inspired me. From this, I feel like I learned so much more about myself – not just as a friend but also as a scientist.”
I could not be more grateful for some of the lessons I gained here.
What advice would you give to incoming SSRP students to help them make the most of their time?
“Spend as much time with your peers, mentors, directors, and in the lab, as possible; time truly passes so fast! :)”
Favorite Memory from SSRP?
“One day, we were in the mouse room until around 8:30PM, and it was the final day of our experiment. After, my group and I got Jollibee’s, and I got home at 11:40pm!”
Alissa was a part of the Feeding Brain and Behavior track. Her project focused on the effects of a high-fat diet on mouse behavior, physiology and locomotion.