Transitioning from Cornell College, in the small town of Mount Vernon, to the dynamic environment of Iowa City has been an exciting journey. My first week as a computational epidemiology researcher at the University of Iowa was a blend of new experiences, initial challenges, and growing anticipation for the work ahead.
The move itself was a whirlwind. Packing up my life in Mount Vernon and relocating to Iowa City was a whole task. The process involved organizing and transporting all my belongings, which proved to be quite hectic. Yet, once I settled into my new apartment, I began to appreciate the beauty and vibrancy of Iowa City. The contrast between the small-town charm of Mount Vernon and the bustling atmosphere of a larger city was striking and refreshing.
On my first day, I had the pleasure of meeting my supervisor, Professor Sriram Pemmaraju. He warmly welcomed me and gave me an extensive tour of the campus, starting with the Old Capitol Building. This historic building, with its majestic presence, served as a wonderful introduction to the university's rich heritage. Walking through its halls, I felt a deep connection to the history and tradition that the University of Iowa embodies.
We then moved on to explore the Pentacrest, the heart of the campus, consisting of the five oldest buildings. The architectural grandeur of these buildings and their historical significance left a lasting impression on me. It was inspiring to think about the generations of students and scholars who had walked these grounds before me.
One of the most exciting discoveries was the mini mall and food mart located within the campus grounds. This bustling area, filled with various dining options and shops, quickly became one of my favorite spots. The variety of food and the vibrant atmosphere provided a lively contrast to the quieter environment of Cornell College, making me feel more integrated into the campus life.
After the tour, I began my preliminary coding work, which was both challenging and intriguing. Professor Pemmaraju had assigned me a computational epidemiology homework task to help me get acquainted with the coding and methodologies I would be using over the summer. This assignment was crucial in familiarizing me with the specific programming languages and tools essential for our research.
Working on this initial task, I felt a mix of excitement and determination. The complexities of computational epidemiology require a deep understanding of both programming and epidemiological principles. As I navigated through the code, I began to appreciate the nuances of modeling disease spread and the critical role that computational tools play in public health research.
Throughout the week, I spent considerable time immersed in coding, learning new algorithms, and understanding the intricacies of epidemiological data analysis. Each line of code brought me closer to grasping the immense potential of computational epidemiology in addressing real-world health challenges. The work was intense, but the sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that I was contributing to significant research kept me motivated.
As I continue to settle into my role, I look forward to delving deeper into my research, collaborating with my peers, and making meaningful contributions to the field of computational epidemiology. This is just the beginning of what promises to be an incredibly rewarding journey, and I am eager to see where it takes me.