Since 2010, the Gatton Academy has offered students the ability to pursue summer research experiences through the Gatton Research Internships Grants (RIG) program. Made possible through the generous support of Mr. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, the program offers competitive grants to Gatton Academy students between their junior and senior years to support summertime research internships across the Commonwealth and the world. By providing a funding mechanism, the program directly creates new avenues for growth and exploration. Throughout the summer, we have shared insights from the twelve recipients of the 2012 grants. Today, the series concludes with our final check in with Le
xi Sunnenberg.
Lexi Sunnenberg of Lexington spent her summer as a researcher at the University of Kentucky Department of Biology under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffrey Osborn. Lexi researched how varying concentrations of NaCl solutions perfused through the gastrointestinal tract effected Na+ absorption and excretion in freshwater-acclimated crayfish.
1. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?
I think that most high school students spend their summers just hanging out with friends and going to the pool, but what I’m doing is so much different than that. My summer is all about learning. When I go to work I don’t go to a fast food place, I go to a research lab.
2. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?
Research is something that I’m really interested in and I plan on doing throughout the rest of my time in school. This research experience has helped me to better understand specifically what I want to do.
3. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?
My second year at Gatton I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of the new juniors, as well as deciding where to go to college!
4. What do you aspire to achieve in the next ten years?
In the next ten years I hope to complete my undergrad in Biology and then later graduate from medical school. Hopefully I will be in the middle of residency.
5. What do you love most about the Gatton Academy?
The thing I love most about Gatton is the feeling like everyone belongs. No one is left out because there a little bit quirky. Everyone is a little quirky and we just accept each other for who we are.
