Allison Paredes
About Me
Coming from a town with little to no research or STEM opportunities and a low-income household, Talaria has opened my eyes to the many free resources there are to enlighten young minds. Before, I thought there was nothing I could do to lengthen my skills and achievements in my community but now I see that there are numerous programs and institutions online that prioritize those similar to me in making memorable passion-filled projects. In my month-long journey with Talaria, I realized that research and STEM are where I want my future career to lie due to the amount of joy and clarity it has brought me. When doing research, my curiosity and meticulous nature are stimulated, diving me into rabbit holes of engaging and new information encouraging me to discover more.
Research Experience
It was diffidently new, to say the least, but after the first week, it became an enjoyable experience. Initially, it felt like finding clues (information) to resolve a top-secret case (my selected research topic) which made the process more enjoyable as it progressed. As I read more articles and journals about my selected topic, I became more curious about the content I was reading. This led me to numerous Google searches of how certain chemical and biological aspect's function which broadened my knowledge and understanding of the topic. Cycling from new information, google searching how it works, and processing its relevance in my research led me to numerous rabbit holes of information that my curiosity couldn’t let me out of. From previously thinking that research was only an analysis of lab studies, I realized that literature is also a legitimate form of research that is easily accessible and just as informative. Writing the research paper with all of the information I found felt satisfying, similar to how I would spend ten or more hours on a piece of art. Knowing that all of the work done during the first two weeks contributed to the end result made me proud of my project and the time used making it.
Mentorship Experience
Working with Dr. Brahmjot Kaur was very exciting, memorable, and inspiring. Before our first meeting, we shared information about each other which made me learn that she was currently working in a field I am interested in and the other forms of awesome work she has done. Her past and current work made her very admirable and excited for me to meet her, but also nervous as it was a new experience. Throughout our Zoom sessions, my nervous demeanor became more calm and relaxed as she created an environment where we can speak freely to one another and questions were encouraged. Before Talaria, I had never done research before, and going through the whole process guided by my mentor motivated and empowered me to persevere through hardships during the project. Throughout my project, my mentor guided me through the goals of the project and sent me the readings and articles associated with my topic. I had many questions during the learning and making process of my paper, which my mentor was always glad to help me with. After my first draft, my mentor helped me with some of the diagrams, such as the chemical structures, and revised my paper. Overall, my research paper would not be the same as it is without the guidance of Dr. Brahmjot Kaur, someone who I am very grateful for.
Favorite Part of Talaria
My favorite part about participating in Talaria was examining articles and readings when researching for my research paper. Learning about how certain scientific systems or topics work is very fun to me, especially when I am trying to find an explanation for a specific thing. Initially, I was unfamiliar with the textile dye industry and its effects on the environment and human health. However, as I read through the articles and readings my mentor sent me and through her guidance, I became immersed in the material, going through rabbit holes of information to find answers to my wonders. These discoveries led to me becoming educated on where my clothes came from and the sacrifices made to create them, changing how I view and choose clothing for the better.
Who I Recommend Talaria For
I would recommend Talaria to any student that is interested in STEM or has a unique or quirky scientific interest. With Talaria, students will be able to explore their interests in a new and informative way, with them learning more about their interests and expressing free curios liberty in the process.
Advice for Future Applicants
Just apply! If you are interested in STEM, have a STEM-related interest, or seeking a research opportunity applying to Talaria is could increase your chances of diving deeper into any of those topics. Although application doubt does exist, thoughts such as “Why apply if I'm not going to be accepted anyway,” the best way to let go of those thoughts is to apply anyway despite it. During my application process, I experienced application doubt and was almost about to stop my progress. However, as I thought more about my purpose of applying, I created a mindset to myself that I would regret never applying than applying and getting rejected. This new mindset combined with my interest in chemical and biological engineering led me to submit my application.
