Nutrition Sciences Major Discusses Summer Research, Burnout, and Balance

By now, as I continue my SURF project, things are on a roll. During the past several weeks, I have completed the dissections of about half of my samples, and I have moved on to other processes such as chemical dissolution and filtration. Of course, there were a few hiccups along the way, with the most frustrating being filtration itself.

When we originally started filtering the samples, it would take about a day to get through one due to the fine mesh of the filter we were using and the additional filter paper. So, we switched things up. Now, samples are being filtered using a filter with wider holes (which will allow more sediment through), which has minimized processing down from 60+ minutes to a mere 10-15. However, there is a catch: all samples must be filtered with two pieces of filter paper as the paper itself could rip, or sample particles could be lost.

Additionally, my advisers have also told me to only keep one sample in the collection area just in case I need to double-filter a sample to ensure the most data collection. As SURF has progressed, I’ve taken notice of all the small tweaks we have added to the process to make things go faster. Aside from the filtration trick, I’ve discovered that prepping the fume hood while thawing fish as samples are being filtered is the best way to set my day up for success. Now, I’m able to dissect a fish in about 30 or so minutes, meaning that I can get through about five without tiring myself out completely, which leads us to our next topic: Burnout.

You know how people tell you to exercise and drink the splashy stuff and that kale has magical powers? I hate to tell you this, but they’re actually right. It turns out that sleeping and eating are, in fact, important to maintaining a healthy balance between life, work, and play. In my own case, not only am I doing SURF, but I also volunteer in the ER and work a part-time job in New Haven. Oh, and I am taking online courses. This has led to a rather rocky sleep schedule, high stress (leading to acne, my worst nightmare), lack of exercise or time outside, and some bad eating habits.

Looking at it physiologically, the brain is a supercomputer. It has a bunch of wires that send out electrical impulses that tell your body to do things such as breathe, blink, play Crossy Road, and other cool things. Yet, without energy, these processes don’t happen very well; reactions are delayed, thinking is slowed; everything is a Jelloed blob of sluggish brain-ness that you can feel leaking out of your ears.
And I’ve had enough.

So, I’ve started going to the gym again. Hanging out. Roller blading. Granted, keeping things in the balance is a little hard, but honestly? It is so easy to get caught up in your work life that you forget to live your own. My best advice currently to those during research, or who are embarking on a similarly long project, is to not only reward yourself with things you love, but to also spend time with the people and things you love, too. Life isn’t just work, and while doing it is important to the surrounding community and yourself, you can’t be a star if you burn out.

Maybe I’ll go back to these blogs in a few years’ time and say to myself, as I’m surrounded in an apartment with a cat named Cheddar and too many plants: “Wow, she actually has her stuff together” when this version of myself feels as though everything is right out of reach.

I know putting in the time and hard work now – doing an extra dissection, running an EKG, getting that extra rep – those little extra things all add up to form something immaculate: You.

Beatrice Glaviano ’26 is a nutrition sciences major with a pre-med concentration. She is a member of the University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program.