The last three weeks have allowed me to progress through several important milestone. I made great headway in my original work and have made progress on my preparation for the research showcase. Excitingly, I also obtained co-mentors, and will begin scheduling meetings with them on the fifteenth.

 

The Christmas break offered me a great chance to continue work on my original work. I finished up my data collection, finalizing with a total of 310 responses. I am happy with the sample size and believe it represents a large enough and adequately varied population for a preliminary survey. I also began working on the written survey report and analyzing the data presented in the results. The ratio of vaccinated and unvaccinated responses were about equal, and agreed with previously conducted studies. Once the report is finished, which should be within the next week, I will begin working on my plan for advertising techniques or government tactics which should increase the rate of influenza vaccination within the Dallas area or similar communities. I am excited to finish up my original work, because I think my product could actually be applicable and will be a nice way to show my work so far this year.

 

Additionally, once I finish my original work I can begin working on my trifold for the research showcase. I have already bought the tri fold, scrapbook paper, and poster letters. I am looking forward to making the board because I enjoy the creative process. My invitations for the research showcase have arrived, and I began handing those out over the break.

 

Finally, I obtained my mentors. I am very excited to be working with Dr. Phillips and Dr. Wetzel in the future. They are both research scientists at UT Southwestern for malaria and African sleeping sickness. I have only previously met with Dr. Phillips, but when I asked her to be my mentor she suggested a co-mentorship as she might not have time for a full mentorship. I agreed, as it actually sounds like a good opportunity to be exposed to even more medical expertise, and need to set up a time to meet with Dr. Wetzel. They suggested I begin to get in contact after January 15, as the holiday season is usually extremely busy. They have both completed the background check, so I should be able to begin work soon.

 

I am looking forward to the completion of my original work, the research showcase, and beginning to work with my mentors.