Weekly Report (12/15-12/21)

During this week in ISM I was finally able to express my knowledge and interest in cardiology at the Research Showcase to a myriad of individuals that varied in age. Before the Research Showcase I prepared my portfolio and added a few final touches on my board to make everything appear perfect. My favorite part about the Research Showcase was introducing myself to new people who were equally as interested in cardiology as I was. It was quite nice detailing and explaining about cardiology to them. The atmosphere itself was also really nice and pleasant. What I felt really great in doing very well with is introducing myself with people. I always reached out a shook their hands and asked if they had any questions pertaining to cardiology. I loved explaining to them my overall goals and aspirations that I hoped to accomplish throughout this year. The only trouble I had was with the level of my voice to the audience since at times some of the people who attended my board could not hear me as well. The immense numbers of people surrounding the Liberty section of the presentations made my voice seem not as loud as it normally would. Overall I thought the Research Showcase had been a success as I felt that I reached out to many individuals. I will use my knowledge and experience from the Research Showcase to better myself for the Final Presentation Night. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (12/8-12/14)

During this week in ISM I have completed my fifth interview assessment and finished my research portfolio and research board that will be shown for the upcoming winter research showcase, where I will be able to present all the knowledge and information that I have learned throughout this first semester about my topic of study. Through my interview assessment I reflected on my first phone interview with Dr. Parin Parikh. From the interview I learned what it means if a doctor is “on call” and how busy some cardiologists can be. At the end of the interview Dr. Parikh gave me advice on what I should be doing if I want to pursue in cardiology or any other medical field. In class we prepared for the research showcase by asking one another questions that could be asked during the actual research showcase. I learned that almost anything can be asked about my field of study so I should prepare well for the research showcase if I want to impress my audience. We also went over what we should do if we get stumped on a question and how to appropriately answer back. Ultimately I feel prepared for the research showcase since I know that it will be really fun and exciting. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (12/1-12/7)

During this week in ISM I have completed my fourth research assessment, original work proposal, presentation board, research portfolio, and handed out invitations for the upcoming research showcase we will have. Through my interview assessment I reflected on my fourth research interview with Dr. Krock who taught me the benefits of having a great relationship with one’s coworkers. I learned from Dr. Krock the typical day of a cardiologist like himself and the amount of work required becoming a doctor. For my original work, I will be planning to conduct a survey on whether the amount of wealth an individual has affects his or her heart health. This particular study satisfies for an original work since the correlations from the survey will help me understand any procedures that I can take to help individuals in need to overcome their heart condition, no matter what affluence they make. For the upcoming research showcase I finished my presentation board and research portfolio. In class we mostly prepared for the research showcase so that we all do well. Before the end of the break we’re required to have mentors, so I am currently in the process of asking a doctor that I have interviewed. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (11/17-11/30)

During this week in ISM I have completed my sixth research assessment, research speech self-evaluation, call log, and showcase invitation lists. Through my research assessment I learned the impact certain drugs can have on individuals and how the medical society is still progressing and developing. For instance I learned that the drug Digoxin is actually detrimental to a patient’s health since it causes an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Originally it was assumed to have the opposite affect and benefit the patients with these problems but was recently found false. I learned that the medical field is still dynamic since new information can surface any moment. For ISM I also finished making a showcase invitation list with people who I plan to invite for the research showcase during late December. The research showcase will allow me to represent all that I have accomplished in ISM so far. Lastly I finished a self-evaluation of my speech that I presented last class. Overall I thought that my speech was good but could have been much better. In class during ISM we did a team building activity in which was similar to the game “telephone”. Each individual had nine note cards in which we passes around to each other guessing the image or word the previous note car holder had drawn or written. Through this activity we learned that communication is quite important and that it’s always beneficial to surpass this barrier. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (11/10-11/16)

During this week in ISM I had given a ten minute Research Speech on cardiology and had a phone interview with Dr. Parin Parikh. The phone interview with Dr. Parin Parikh was rescheduled once as the doctor needed to attend a conference meeting with some other professionals relating to an issue with a new patient that had occurred. From the interview with Dr. Parin Parikh I learned that the life of a cardiologist is quite busy, especially with his sub-specialty of cardiology. I learned that anything can occur at any moment and that I must be prepared for that. Through my Research Speech I was able to share with the class my current knowledge of cardiology and the background story behind my pursuance. I mentioned the assessments and interviews that I had accomplished so far and the knowledge gained from every single one of them. I felt that I had given a great speech and that I truly accomplished something great. The flaws that occurred in my speech were that I used a tad too many filler words, needed to smile a bit more, had a shaky introduction, and a struggling conclusion. Hopefully the mistakes that I saw in my speech will help me learn and improve for my future speeches. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (11/3-11/9)

During this week in ISM I went on my third Research Interview, have completed my third Interview Assessment, and have continued to prepare for my upcoming Research Speech. For the Interview Assessment I essentially talked about the experience with Dr. Amit Khera who is a Preventive Cardiologist. I truly appreciated the time with Dr. Amit Khera since he was in such a high position and was buys quite a lot. During my Research Interview Dr. Khera explained to me the unique duties he accomplishes and does yearly. As the director of Cardiology at UT Southwestern and Head of the Fellowship Program there Dr. Khera held a high position. I learned the key roles he plays and the different branch of Cardiology in which he works for. I learned the two different paths in which one could lead from Cardiology which was truly intriguing. The knowledge gained from the interview was truly outstanding. During our class time in ISM we mostly watched speeches given by other students. From the speeches we learned the experiences that each student had and what they accomplished. I’ve learned that for my speech I shouldn't make the mistakes that past students made on their speeches. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (10/27-11/2)

During this week in ISM I have completed my fifth Research Assessment and second Interview Assessment. For my Research Assessment I analyzed an article that covered the fundamentals and functions of the heart. I learned and memorized the parts of the heart and the responsibility each chamber has. The key information from the article will be useful when I’m with my future mentor since I wouldn’t have to waste his time with learning about the basics about the heart, instead we could move forward and talk about more intricate ideas. For my Interview Assessment I reflected on my second interview with Dr. David Harper who explained to me the key aspects of Cardiology. With his father also being a Cardiologist, Dr. Harper emphasized the amount of work and dedication needed to become a Cardiologist. I learned from Dr. Harper the depth of studies needed to become a Cardiologist and the amount of time one must place since it is a serious and crucial job. During class time we critiqued each other’s display board layouts so that we could present our boards could be professional and sufficient. For my display board I was thinking of integrating a three-dimensional heart in the center of the board since my topic of study is Cardiology. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (10/20-10/26)

During this week in ISM I have completed my fourth research assessment, my first interview assessment, and my display board plan. In the Research Assessment I learned that heart attacks heart attacks are not as connected to family history and genetics as may have been previously assumed. This new information helps individuals with a family history of coronary disease and narrow coronaries understand that heart attacks aren’t inevitable and that the lifestyle choices they make along with the environment factors determine whether or not they would have heart attacks. Instead of blaming genetics for their coronary disease, citizens must now alter their daily tasks in order to prevent themselves from severe heart attacks. In the Interview Assessment I reflected on my first interview with Dr. Raul Santos who explained to me the typical duties and tasks as a Cardiologist. I could tell from our interview that Dr. Raul Santos is an experienced and generous Cardiologist who truly loves his patients. Lastly I finished the Display Board Plan which represents my plan for the actual board that I’ll have during the December presentation. I felt that my Display Board Plan looked really creative and impressive. Also, I completed “Thank You” cards for four professionals out of the many that attended the Business Symposium. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (10/13-10/19)

During this week in ISM we were to finish a Business Symposium Assessment, a third Research Assessment, and a Topic Proposal. In the Business Assessment, I talked about my experience with the three interviews I had and what I learned from each interview. Although the Business Symposium was at first frightful, I felt quite excited when introducing myself to new people and new professionals. Sometime this week we were assigned to write “Thank You” cards to the professionals that attended the Business Symposium. Everyone received a minimum of two “Thank You” cards, while others requested for more than two for extra credit. I plan on completing my “Thank You” cards next week. Next in the third Research Assessment I explored the discovery of a new protein found within the heart system that can cause arrhythmias.  This protein called Pcp4 caused arrhythmias to occur when in low amounts, but because of this discovery new drugs are being made to help patients with arrhythmias. I understood from this article that science is still progressing and new foundational information will be found every day for years and years to come. Lastly in the Topic Proposal I explained the reasons of why I am exploring in the field of Cardiology and what character traits I have to help me through my study. This week has been a wonderful week and I hope to accomplish more in the future.

Weekly Report (10/6-10/12)

During this week in ISM we prepared for the Business Symposium, an event in which professionals from around the Dallas Forth-Worth Metroplex were asked to volunteer and interview the ISM students from around the district on Friday. Students were to interview three different professionals, who each helped them with networking, critiqued how they presented themselves, and guided tips for actual interviews. My own experience at the Business Symposium was fantastic since I gained so much advice and tips from each professional. The first professional I met was really nice and gave me a contact who was a Cardiologist. She explained to me her experiences with her college life and business, which was truly interesting. I would have preferred to have more time with each professional at the Business Symposium.  The second professional, however, critiqued me about my resume, so I learned how a resume for professionals would be. The last professional met was really kind and, after asking me questions, explained to me how to succeed in college since next year I would be a college student. He also explained to me how even though my responses for questions were extremely great, I should speak a tad slower since speaking quickly might not be understood by some. Ultimately the Business Symposium was really fun and exciting, and I hope to use the tips and experiences in my future interviews. 

Weekly Report (9/29-10/5)

During this week in ISM we learned how to construct a research portfolio and the importance of one. The research portfolio consisted of having a cover page, quote page, mission statement, and all the research assessments we’ve done so far. Also, I went to two unique and interesting research interviews that were both on Friday this week. The interview in the morning was brief and I understood the basic routine and lifestyle of a cardiologist. The interview in the afternoon was much longer since after I met with the cardiologist, his two nurses, and the cardiac electro physiologist who did series of tests such as an ECHO and Stress Test on me so that I could understand what it would be like if I was an actual patient. The cardiologist helped me understand vital attributes that are essential if one wanted to become a cardiologist. The nurses were also quite knowledgeable in the field of cardiology and conducted an EKG Test like they do on regular patients. Throughout the research interviews I understood what it would be like to a cardiologist. Both the cardiologists stated that being a cardiologist was a stressful job, yet a rewarding one. They stated that seeing patients go from dire, critical conditions to more stable conditions was the best. Obviously, they enjoyed helping their patients more than anything. The experience of both the research interviews was truly wonderful. I hope to attend more research interviews in the future and to gain more experience and knowledge in cardiology. This coming Friday everyone has to attend the Business Symposium, which will help us enhance our communication skills and gain valuable contacts.

Weekly Report (9/22-9/28)

During this week in ISM we mostly focused on scheduling our research interviews. We used our time in class and out of class to call or email professionals in our respective field of study in order to successfully attain research interviews. This week I’ve called over 10 professionals, however, the calls either went straight to the doctor’s secretary or to the doctor’s voicemail. When speaking to the secretaries I explained to them about the Independent Study and Mentorship program at Liberty and inquired if there were any such research interviews available at their hospitals, clinics, or offices. After I was done, the secretaries told me that they would talk to the doctors about my request, and so far only one secretary called me back to offer me an opportunity. When the calls went to the voicemails, I briefly explained myself and requested for a research interview, leaving my phone number and email before I ended the calls. Also, I emailed over 5 professionals and did not receive any replies back. In the school hallways this week I shook hands with our school’s principal and four associate principles. They all wished me good luck in my path and told me that if they needed anything I could ask them. The activities I did this week enhanced my communication skills as I learned to hold a conversation with others. I hope to attain more research interviews so that I can learn more about Cardiology and I look forward to the research interview that I have next week.

Weekly Report (9/15-9/21)

During this week of ISM we set up almost everything for our professional interviews that we will be soon doing. On Thursday, we dress professionally and practiced mock interviews and calls in order gain a better understanding of the process. The mock interviews and calls helped since I learned that I should be more confident of myself and should smile more. After practicing the interviews and calls, we critiqued each other’s resumes so that our drafted resumes would have little to no error. For instance, we set up appropriate voicemails on our cell phones in case anyone may want to contact us, made email signatures so that professionals know we are and represent, and drafted a resume to give to professionals at the business symposium. This past week I composed a rough draft of my resume (1hr), which I will give to professionals. Also, I completed my second research assessment (2hrs), which I was able to become better informed on how certain proteins promote or hinder a healthy heart. I learned that circulating protein apolipoprotein E helps repair the lining of blood vessels, while the genetic variant APO4 doesn’t thus increasing the chance of cardiovascular disease for some individuals. Next week I plan on making calls from those on my contact log and try to succeed in scheduling interviews with them. I hope to learn more insight and tips in the coming weeks.

Weekly Report (9/8-9/14)

During this week of ISM I've learned the importance of a contact log, the type of questions needed to be asked during an interview, the proper methods to start and end conversations, and how to speak more confidently with others. This past week was oriented more towards independent work time, so I was able to begin and finish many assignments in class for ISM. First I completed my contact log (2hrs), which would help me keep track of all the calls, emails, or texts that I would give while trying to find a mentor for my field. The contact log I created has basic information such as a Cardiologist’s name, hospital location, address, phone number, and email. We were responsible to find twenty five professionals, so I found thirty five Cardiologists, all from different hospitals. After the contact log, I personalized my blogger (1hr) in class after a class activity that helped me know any faults or problems that I had in my blogger. Some faults included a need for: a more relevant background, some personal information, and a less bland layout. Next I completed my first research assessment (2hrs) which helped me gain a much better understanding about Cardiology. For the research assessment I essentially analyzed an article that explains how antibody-studded iron nanoparticles injected into a patient's bloodstream can steer stem cells to treat damage from heart attacks. Although everything was still experimental, I learned that researching is strenuous work in which requires dedication and perseverance. Following that I continued to work on my resume (1.5hrs), polishing it before its due date next week. I hope to learn more insight and tips in the coming weeks. 

Weekly Report (8/25-9/7)

During the past two week of ISM I've gained a better understanding of what is expected of the program. The first week we were expected to compose an introductory speech about ourselves and our interest for our field of study. However, composing the introductory speech was not the problem, presenting it well with confidence and ease was an issue. After composing my speech and practicing it numerous times (1hr) I thought I was ready to present it in front of the class, though I was wrong. After presenting my speech I found that I like others had many flaws while introducing myself. I found out that every detail from hand gestures to eye contact to tone of voice was important when one addresses himself. Ending off the first week I’ve created a Google Blogger account (.5 hrs) that will help me keep track of my progress. The following week I had chosen a quote in which I felt that best described the start of my ISM journey (1hr); a quote that is in a way connected to who I am. I had also written a mission statement (1hr) that describes my goals and aspirations that I want to achieve through the ISM program and completed a career/industry forecast (1hr) that helped me know more about the field of cardiology. The career/industry forecast helped me come up with and create specific interview questions (1hr) that I will use later on. In class that week, I’ve learned more about professionalism, appropriate dress attire, and how to create effective resumes. For the upcoming business symposium, we’ve prepared shaking hands with one another and learned effective communication skills. These skills are essential in introducing oneself with a professional in the business world. I hope to learn more insight and tips in the coming weeks.

Welcome to Gowtham Katta's Blog!

Welcome to my ISM Blog! Here you will be able to follow me through my journey and research in the field of Cardiology.