Learning to Do Research: One Sample at a Time

Every DNA sample tells a story. That was one of the first lessons I learned during my summer at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez in Mexico City. I arrived expecting to master laboratory techniques, but I left with a much deeper understanding of what scientific research truly looks like—and of the people who make it possible.  

Through the Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) and the DRCLAS Summer Internship Program (SIP), I had the opportunity to work at the Laboratory of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez under the mentorship of Dr. Citlalli Osorio-Yáñez. My work focused on optimizing DNA extraction from placental tissue for a study examining how exposure to PM2.5 air pollution during pregnancy affects mitochondrial health in mothers and their babies. 

Every day in the lab was an opportunity to learn something new and to contribute, even in a small way, to research with the potential to improve public health. 

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that every DNA sample tells a story. Behind every tube was a real person, a family, and years of commitment to a long-term research study. Working with placental tissue reminded me that meaningful discoveries begin long before results are published. They begin with careful preparation, attention to detail, and respect for the people who make research possible. 

Not every lesson came from following laboratory protocols. I learned how much planning goes into every experiment, how important it is to protect every sample, and how researchers constantly adapt to unexpected challenges. Watching the team find creative solutions while maintaining rigorous scientific standards showed me that innovation is not only about having the newest technology—it is about asking important questions and refusing to stop searching for answers. 

Another part of this experience that left a lasting impression on me was the sense of community within the laboratory. Some of my favorite memories happened between experiments—sharing meals, talking with my colleagues, and getting to know the incredible people who welcomed me from my very first day. They taught me much more than laboratory techniques. They showed me what it looks like to enjoy research, support one another, and build a community around a shared purpose. 

This summer also gave me a broader appreciation for collaboration in science. Whether we were working in our own laboratory or traveling to another research institute to use specialized equipment, I saw firsthand that meaningful scientific discoveries rarely happen in isolation. They depend on researchers, institutions, and communities working together toward a common goal. 

I came to Mexico expecting to learn laboratory techniques. I left understanding that scientific discovery is built one carefully prepared sample, one thoughtful question, and one collaborative team at a time. Those are lessons I hope to carry throughout my career as a physician-scientist. That creates a satisfying full circle with the title.