Hailey Hoog is an Honors College Fellow studying biomedical engineering from Jenks, Oklahoma. She is also a Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress Presidential Fellow, Indian Health Service Scholar, a Harry S. Truman Scholarship Finalist and two-time Udall Foundation Honorable Mention.
This summer, Hailey completed an internship with Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital as part of the Four Directions Summer Research Program. Here, she gained clarity about her future career goals and learned to navigate life in a new city.
This past summer, I lived in the vibrant city of Boston and completed an internship facilitated by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. My participation in the Four Directions Summer Research Program, which is tailored to Native American and Alaska Native students interested in medicine and research, was pivotal in my academic and personal growth. I had the privilege of joining a dynamic laboratory at Boston Children’s Hospital, dedicated to understanding the genetic pathways governing the patterning, growth, and maintenance of the skeletal system.
I worked with a post-doctoral fellow to develop a plasmid to create a conditional Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) mouse model. Essentially, this model turn OI on or off in a mouse, facilitating the study of its impact on specific tissue types beyond the skeletal system. We used traditional bacterial transformation to introduce a new fragment of DNA into bacteria, which was then injected into mouse embryos, and I recently found out that this DNA inserted correctly into a few of the mice. The journey to this result was filled with our fair share of failures and humorous moments, particularly semi-regular self-deprecative jokes about being stuck “elbow-deep” in E. coli all summer. Nonetheless, witnessing a technique I had previously learned in my biomolecular engineering class done in a real study was immensely gratifying. I will never forget the moment we discovered that we had completed the plasmid: my post-doc, Giulia, jumped around the room but I just sat there dumbfounded–we had quite literally built a mouse. Not bad for a random kid from Oklahoma!
The 2023 Four Directions Summer Research Program Cohort.
While I don’t love the term “Imposter Syndrome,” I certainly struggled with self-doubt in the esteemed academic circle of Boston. I felt like an outsider surrounded by renowned scientists; there’s no world where that isn’t intimidating as all get-out. Giulia was incredible, though, and persistently challenged me with questions about what we were doing and why we were doing it. I won’t lie and say it wasn’t terrifying, but it pushed me to learn more in eight weeks that I ever imagined possible. This internship also allowed me to form invaluable connections with seven other Indigenous students from across the country, who became dear friends and taught me so much about their own cultures. We met several physicians and engaged in enriching conversations that candidly addressed systematic racism in higher education and medicine, the complexities of preserving one’s cultural identity while away from home and how to navigate the balancing act between a rigorous career and family life. It was these individuals that made the experience fulfilling, leading to borderline embarrassing emotional farewells on the street in Coolidge Corner, my Uber to the airport and perhaps my departure gate at Boston Logan (but I will publicly deny this.)
The program was incredibly clarifying. While initially inclined towards pursuing an MD/PhD program upon graduation, my time in the lab led me to the realization that this path might not be for me. Consequently, I gave myself the freedom to explore the various ways in which I could use my career to contribute to the improvement of health and well-being in Indigenous communities. Beyond my professional growth, this summer allowed me to explore life in a large city. It was so foreign to me at first, but I came to love my morning walks through the Boston Commons, an almond milk latte from Dunkin’ Donuts, and public transportation (long live the T!) I couldn’t have been further from my comfort zone, and it changed my life–my confidence in applying to medical school skyrocketed, and the list of schools I’m applying to probably would’ve given me a heart attack even just six months ago.
With Four Directions leadership and my lab’s principal investigator and post-doctoral fellow at my culminating presentation.
My advice? Go for the crazy, far-out opportunities. If you had told my freshman self that I would complete an internship at Harvard University, I think I would’ve laughed in your face. The fear of being under-qualified should not deter you; your unique experiences and perspective have equipped you far more than you think. And don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. The highest compliment I received in Boston was that my love for learning was evident by the questions I asked. Let your natural curiosity guide you. As I reflect on this summer, I know I will cherish it forever, from the Subway in the hospital cafeteria to the silly mistakes I made, and especially to my newfound appreciation for buck-a-shuck oyster happy hours. Seek out experiences that make you feel scared and excited and fulfilled.