Navigating MIT
How I learned to stop worrying and love the maze
When I first got into MIT, I was surprised. Then I felt a rush of excitement, and at last a sense of dread at the immense task in front of me. Getting a PhD is a gruelling endeavour that can test anyone’s intellect, drive, and sanity. So I knew I would face no shortage of […]
All in on MIT as a 1st-gen PhD
How an unexpected, last-minute campus tour changed my life's trajectory
Everyone has heard the expression, “It’s never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.” This is a wise piece of advice—unless we’re talking about your dream grad school! Hello, my name is Annabel Gomez. I’m a first-generation Mexican American and the first in my family to pursue higher education. Growing up, […]
More Than Just Books: My Favorite Bookstores in Boston
A tour around unique Boston Bookstores and why each one is worth a visit.
People who love visiting bookstores know that it isn’t just about the books but also the environment. Personally, bookstores remind me that there are so many different worlds out there and so much to learn. I love picking up a book and feeling how floppy it is (if you know you know) and imagining myself […]
Sourdough and the Scientific Method
Exploring the Intersection of Yeast, Experimentation, and Life's Milestones
It was inevitable. I was staring down the barrel of the hardest academic semester of my life and needed an outlet to restore my energy– something to reinvigorate my creativity. The answer floated into my consciousness one fateful October night: Yeast. I think it takes a certain kind of person to become addicted to sourdough. […]
I can see clearly now
Getting contact lenses and defining a research vision
Over the winter break, I got contact lenses for the first time. Putting them in produced an effect like removing a plastic sheet from before my eyes. Every detail, even in the distance, was crisp and clear. When driving, I could read the small print on signs, and in the mirror I saw every pore […]
