This week was another fairly busy week. I worked on a couple upcoming deadlines but focused primarily on my original work presentation. I had originally planned on having a mentor visit, but that didn’t work out.

 

In preparation for Tuesday’s mentor visit, I did some research on African sleeping sickness, the parasite that causes it, and R21 grants. I have a few questions on the parasite and why an R21 would be the best choice for my final project. Although the mentor visit Tuesday didn’t work out, I sent another email to my mentors to see about finding another meeting time and to give them access to my original work proposal and calendar. Hopefully we will be able to meet soon, so that I can get some questions answered and get a picture with them for the upcoming picture check.

 

The original work presentation was another important deadline this week. I finished my powerpoint Thursday. I stuck to my original theme, which relies mostly on text graphics and corresponds to my color scheme. I made sure my binder was updated in advance, and I tried to make sure the PowerPoint had the right balance between previous work and my original work and a good flow. I was very happy with the completed PowerPoint. I followed a similar process to my last presentation, as it was a success, and made a list of talking points I rehearsed only a few times. My first speech came off as too scripted, so I wanted to avoid that. I was moderately happy with my final speech. I went slightly over twenty minutes, so I need to work on that. Additionally, I think I came off too scripted in the beginning and not scripted enough in the end. Before my final presentation I will need to do more work on coming across natural but still prepared. I tried using sheets of paper and a podium this time, but I think I will go back to presenting with notecards for final presentation.

 

Overall, I believe I had a productive week and I look forward to scheduling a time for a mentor visit and getting a chance to review and analyze in depth my PowerPoint. I also plan to do more research for my final product in the coming week.