Many people that know me, know that I am the kind of person that will geek out about the smallest thing, especially if it is dealing with science. I often times will catch myself smiling when reading a research study that is particularly interesting to me. My love for science and research arose ever since I was a little girl. Both my parents worked for pharmaceutical companies and were big on chemistry. I never thought that I would follow in their footsteps and major in chemistry as an undergraduate student. I also picked up biology as a second major because I was also interested in pursuing medical school at the time and believed that biology would be the best major in undergrad. Science and the STEM field has always had a special place in my heart. I hope to one day become a researcher with the interest of helping others whether that may be directly or indirectly. This semester, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a class that embodies my love for research as a college student.

This semester I took a course that is offered at Virginia Commonwealth University as part of the biology section. The class is called Spit for Science. You may be wondering what that is since it has the word “Spit” in the name. Spit for science is not only a course that is offered at VCU but also a research study at the university. Spit for Science is a longitudinal study that looks at the environmental and genetic factors related to substance use and emotional health. First-year freshman undergraduate students, age 18 or older, are invited to participate in the study by taking an online survey and providing a DNA sample. The DNA sample is a saliva sample, therefore, one of the reasons why the study is called “Spit” for science. Students are compensated $10 dollars for the survey and also $10 for the saliva sample they give, if they choose to participate. The study follows the student each spring semester they are at the university. They will also be given another $10 for each follow-up survey they fill out. The information that students provide is always confidential. Students also receive a T-shirt for participating in the study.

Spit for Science uses the data for various reasons. They use the data for genetics analyses and a list of research studies. They focus on why students are more likely to develop some emotional health issue or problems with substance abuse. They examine how both the genetic and environmental factors come together and shape student outcomes. The data findings also help them feedback their information into the university to benefit the community as a whole.

Overall, this class has allowed me engage in research and also learn about the VCU community. I highly encourage students to get involved with the class if they have a passion for research and want to make a difference in their community as this is a service learning class as well.