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Student Research Testimonials
Testimonials from our participants in the student research programs
Dr. Larsen researching with a student
My research experience at Des Moines University this summer was extremely educational. Working side by side with professors on their research allowed me to get an in depth look at not only laboratory techniques, but also the mental process that researchers use to evaluate data in order to proceed with the next step of the experiment. My mentor in particular looked over data with my lab partner and I right next to him. His discussions of the data with us lead to further understandings of the biological processes that were going on inside our cell line. Overall, my research experience at DMU was fantastic and I would not hesitate to do it again given the opportunity.Ryan Dornbier
Undergraduate, Saint Louis University
Through the DMU summer research program I feel that I have learned more about my career options in health care as well as the diverse opportunities that the medical field has to offer. I worked on several programs such as the Minnesota Living with Heart Disease Program, The Pelvic Pain and Urology Program, and the Iowa Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. With the unique differences each of these programs possessed, I was able to find many new and exciting challenges in medicine.
I came in with a narrow perspective on medicine and through the lunch and learn programs and communicating with colleagues and conducting my research, I have been able to learn much about the different aspects of medicine. I have been able to meet many new people with new perspectives on medicine and the osteopathic approach to healing. I have seen first hand how research can influence and change medicine for the better. In my research I was able examine and analyze the results of a chronic disease self-management program. This enabled me to calculate and evaluate, through statistical methods, how the program helped patients with many chronic illnesses and enabled me to report what strategies worked and what did not. I really enjoyed working with the experienced faculty to explore ways of making these programs better and I really feel that I, as one researcher, was able to help the lives of many people and assist them in bettering their quality of life.
In participating in a few of the other students' research, and having my reflexes tested in my legs I was able to experience experimentation first hand. This was a new experience and helped me to see how the scientific method is utilized and how research can exhibit new ideas.
I would definitely recommend this program to other students because it not only allowed me to broaden my scientific and medical views but I was able help people while doing it. And in my mind this is really what medicine is about.Allison T
Dr. Larsen,
I wanted to touch base with you and tell you how impressed I was with the summer research program. Working with Dr. Wilson was my greatest pleasure. He was always accessible and willing to explain all details so the full project was understood. I commend DMU on their faculty and how down to earth they are with the students. I am proud to say that I am a student at DMU and will advocate the research program to any and all new students that cross my path. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.Elisa Lear DPM 2010
The summer program was much more hands on than I expected. I really enjoyed the opportunity to be in charge of a small subset of a larger project. Although I got off to a slow start, not knowing how to run a PCR or gel, I know have have learned a lot. Including a solid introduction for molecular biology class. I also had to develop patience by adjusting to the time it took to run a PCR and gel. The program as a whole was well done. I enjoyed the opportunity to see what other projects were underway during the lunch and learn sessions and the lunch. Even though public speaking is not my forte, it was a good experience and a nice way to see how much we have completed. The summer lab experience was definitely helpful for me by providing me with the opportunity to see how research is conducted. The experience will help in my decision to pursue a career in research or aim for a blend of science and people. The blend of undergraduates and D.O. students was also a good mix. It was fun pestering Hanh and Herberth with questions and helpful to have someone who knew the city. Overall I had a fun summer learning a lot and getting to meet some new people. I will be recommending this summer research experience to other students from my school. (each fall the chemistry club holds a undergraduate research experience night and students that have done research share a little bit about what they did)Jacob
The summer research was a great experience for me. I learned a great deal of new lab techniques. I found my research to be very interesting. The hands on experience increased my knowledge in science and my critical thinking skills. I truly understand why and how I did each of my experiments. Hopefully, the results are able to be conclusively used to better the water quality and public health in Iowa. This summer was also a very relaxed, fun experience. I enjoyed working with all of the other members of the lab. I also enjoyed and learned a great deal from Dr. Larsen and Michael Essmann. Des Moines is a very nice city. The University is a very updated and respected institution. I would like to thank Dr. Larsen, Michael Essmann, Teri Dinham and the other faculty at Des Moines for giving me this effective and wonderful opporunity.Michelle Evans
Dr. Larsen,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the summer research program at DMU. It provides the training that any beginning scientist needs, along with the opportunity to interact with experienced professors whose enthusiasm for expanding scientific knowledge resonates throughout each laboratory. The atmosphere at DMU is conducive to free expression and learning; interaction at lunch and learns and the closing program provides a sense of camaraderie and unity. As an undergraduate student whose schedule during the school year does not provide time for research, I am truly grateful that DMU provides this wonderful opportunity during the summer months.
On a personal level, I spent the last two summers with Dr. Wilson, whose knowledge and fascination of science has motivated me to expand my own understanding of scientific topics. Dr. Wilson is an extraordinary teacher, and I appreciate the time he spent guiding me through the logic and reasoning behind each experiment. I feel extremely confident in the laboratory after working along side of him, and I am truly grateful for his commitment to my understanding of laboratory procedures and techniques. Dr. Wilson's stellar personal traits add to the quality of his mentorship. He is a person I truly admire, and is a prime example of what scientists should strive to be - people of dignity and respect; not only for the scientific process, but for the people they interact with every day.
Once again, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing program. The foundation of knowledge, experience, and skills that I have gained at DMU over the last two summers will undoubtedly guide me through my future endeavors.Michael Burke
