This past week has been intense, fun, different, and above all enlightening. I am working under the mentorship of Aj. Saisamorn. This week I was able to observe and familiarize myself with the laboratory set up and their schedule. Today I met the majority of my lab peers and started shadowing a couple of students. The laboratory environment is way different than CSUF. Every student has a change of shoes that are specific for laboratory use, their own wet station (for bench experiments) and separate workstation for deskwork. Each student has their individual project and dedicates between 5-8 hours per day to their research. The majority of the lab members are graduate students. All the thesis projects involve applications of microbiology for the improvement of production, quality and overall health of important agricultural plants in northern Thailand using microbes, either fungi or bacteria.
My first day in the lab a PhD student who's nickname is Dream greeted me since my Aj. was in Bangkok. Dream was welcoming and enthusiastic, she showed me what she is currently working on. Her project goal is to find ways to improve oil palm production by utilizing organic compounds produce by bacteria and mushrooms. The bacteria and mushrooms synthesize a type of green fertilizer that can be used to reduce cost and toxic hazards for the farmers. Next week I will be assisting with several experimental runs.
I still don't have a Thai nickname but everybody calls me Caroo (emphasis in the double o), which is somewhat similar to my nickname back at home. Everybody has welcomed me with such kindness that I feel incredibly comfortable. I hope to pick up more Thai phrases so that I can show them how much I appreciate this beautiful country!
Carolina Mendoza
My first day in the lab a PhD student who's nickname is Dream greeted me since my Aj. was in Bangkok. Dream was welcoming and enthusiastic, she showed me what she is currently working on. Her project goal is to find ways to improve oil palm production by utilizing organic compounds produce by bacteria and mushrooms. The bacteria and mushrooms synthesize a type of green fertilizer that can be used to reduce cost and toxic hazards for the farmers. Next week I will be assisting with several experimental runs.
I still don't have a Thai nickname but everybody calls me Caroo (emphasis in the double o), which is somewhat similar to my nickname back at home. Everybody has welcomed me with such kindness that I feel incredibly comfortable. I hope to pick up more Thai phrases so that I can show them how much I appreciate this beautiful country!
Carolina Mendoza