September Blog Post

 Hello Everyone! 

It’s been a while since i’ve made a blog post! How’s everyone doing? I’m sure that’s a common question you’ve been asked this year. I’ve learned how important it is to check up on one another especially during these difficult unpredictable times. 

I’m officially a Sun Devil!!!! I’ve been waiting for the day to finally transfer, and let me just say, I did not expect to be transferring to ASU fully being online. It is what it is! Got to make the best out of it. It still feels great to be learning during this pandemic! Gives you a mini break from what’s happening in the world. 

So many of you are probably curious as to how being fully online this semester has been for me? So far I’ve been taking some electives where it’s reading and writing papers, and that’s been easy! On the other hand, my chemistry class has been challenging! I didn’t so good with my first exam, but I have faith with getting better grades for my upcoming classes. I’ve been taking advantage of the online tutoring, I just wish I had a group I can rely to or a peer in my class to do group sessions. It’s so much easier for me to reach out in person than online. That’s been my experience so far. I hope your guys experience has been more better than mine haha. Also forgot to mention I received NCUIRE Racial Injustice Funding this semester! I’m doing research on collecting data on Covid-19 cases by zip code as well as collecting income within each country to  compare/contrast the impact it has on different demographics! It’s been super exciting to be apart of this! will be blogging about my progress, so stay tuned! Stay safe out there! 

Week 10 - STEAM Research Poster

Hello!

Hope everyone is having an easy week. I know most of you have already turned in most of your research rough draft.

My lab this year has been a little hectic just cause there was things that have came up. Life can be pretty hard sometimes and balancing everything can be hard. I've learned that taking some time to meditate and breath to ease anxiety and stress is the #1 key. Please do so, and also take care of your mental health.

I will be presenting my research poster I put together for my statistics class with my group. It was so much fun to be a leader as they knew I had the experience with presenting (even though I don't consider myself an expert) they were able to rely on me for help. (: Hope to see some of you there so you guys can look at what data I analyzed this semester. (:

Week 8: Finishing up Identifying Microplastics + Microfibers

Hello!

Hope everyone's week is starting off good! I was not in last week since ASU had their fall break! This week I came in very refreshed since I spent my weekend up in Flagstaff exploring and chasing the fall colors at Snowbowl. It was so memorizing and beautiful! Makes me wish Phoenix could have Aspen and Ponderosa trees down here. Here are some pictures I took. (:

This week, I am wrapping up identifying the micro-plastics and microfibers from our samples from the American Samoa. So I got a bit confused with the part of my project. I know I had said we are investigating the organic contaminants and micro-plastics in the Philippians (which the rest of the group is focused on that project), but what I am doing is double checking a new method that was used in the previous semesters that Beth Polidoro's group has finished up doing. I looked at three out of four sites of samples that had gone through 4 different washes using hydrogen peroxide and sodium chloride to see if there would be more microplastics and microfibers extracted. From what I've had to discover, its pretty good to say that there is a good amount of microplastics and microfibers that were identified using this method. Here are some pictures of my set up in lab. 

Week 6!

Hello everyone!

I wish I had taken pictures of what I did in the lab this week! I continued identifying the microplastics and microfibers under the microscope while my lab partner Kristi was measuring bivalves clams shells and weighing out the tissue for a doctoral student's research with Dr. Beth Polidoro. The reason for examining the marine organism like clams is because they filter feed, meaning they take a particulate food such as phytoplankton from the water. While doing this, they are taking in concentrations of contaminants and accumulate in the tissue of the organism. I found this super interesting since I love seafood because now doing the research of how most marine ecosystems are becoming more and more polluted, we need to find the importance of continuing to find more research in this field and continue educating others. Maybe we should eat less of what we eat weekly of seafood to reduce our chances of any chronic problems such as reproductive disorders, muscular and neurological abnormalities.

Let me know if you guys have any questions with the research im doing! (: Im learning more and more from you guys. I hope your guys project is going well!


- Francisco

Week 5: Contination of Research

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone's week has been productive. I had to miss this weeks lab at ASU West due to car situations, glad that is over now. If you've seen Jasmine's post this week, you may have received a glimpse of what we are currently working on this semester. It is truly inspiring to be apart of future scientists who are wanting to learn, grow, and help bring awareness of what is being discovered underneath a microscope.

Like I said previously, Beth brought back water samples from the Philippines in the form of SPMD's (Semipermeable Membrane Devices) and Silicone Monitoring Device Wristbands. We are hoping that two different methods we will be using to test water contamination will give us the best results.

I didn't know until now that Beth has an article on ASU's Global Engagement page! I recommend for those who are curious to read about what we are doing, to look further into it. "https://asunow.asu.edu/20190918-global-engagement-asu-beth-polidoro-swat-lab-seafood-safe-microplastics"

Cant wait to be back in the lab next week!

Oh! I almost forgot to mention, who's all ready for November's Conference at ASU Tempe?! Super excited!!!!!

- Francisco

Week 4: Dilluting Samples in Hexane

Hello Everyone,

Hope everyone has been doing great! Its been a really long week since I have been dealing with car situation and what not, but its not the end of the world. This week in lab we finally proceeded with gather our samples (SPMD's and silicon wristbands) that were submerged in Philippines water, allowing the plastic to absorb bacteria or any organic chemicals. Once we rinsed off the plastic with DI water to get rid of any algae growth, we put it in it's proper container and submerge it with Hexane. The reason behind using Hexane as a solvent extraction is for its non-polar nature, low latent heat of evaporation, and high selectivity to solvents. After labeling everything, Beth Polidoro and Jazmin left it prepared for the next group of interns to go ahead and put it on the rotatory for a few days. We should see how it comes out! Beth Polidoro told us that the wristbands will swell when emerged in Hexane! So cool!

Week 3: Identifying contaminants under microscope

Hi guys! Hope everyone has had a productive week. This week Beth Polidoro got the microscope we needed to identify the microplastics and microfibers! To start identifying the microplastics/microfibers off the sample, I had to first coordinate the sample that way I knew where the microplastics/microfibers were located at. I labeled everything in my lab notebook with the sample name and drew out what coordinate the microplastics were at. 

It's pretty awesome seeing the microplastic underneath the microplastic because it is so hard identifying them with just your eyes. Who would've known! I'm excited to see how many of them we go through. All I know is we have a long way to go! Excited to show you guys the results. 

- Francisco