Bustling traffic, large crowds, and towering skyscrapers are general ideas that come to mind when people think about large cities. However, this fails to hold true for Boston: a dynamic city that promotes diversity in all facets of life and remains as the epitome for research.
While in Boston, I got the opportunity to shadow Raphaela Bento, a dedicated PhD student whose research is focused on lowering denial rates in organ transplants. Currently, Bento is in the third year of her PhD and has had many victorious remarks. Originally from a small town in Brazil, Bento has always loved America and finally got the opportunity to officially move back in 2020 for her PhD program at Rutgers University. Since then, Bento’s prolific research landed her the opportunity to continue her PhD at the Massachusetts General Hospital, in affiliation with the Harvard Medical School.
Bento’s dedication to both American culture and her research is evident through all of her work. As I shadowed her, the week was centered around setting up a perfusion model that would mimic the body’s function of delivering blood and oxygen to the organs, which essentially is the function of the circulatory system. Throughout the process, we focused on expanding and proliferating her cells, in order to make sure that there was a feasible amount in order to run an accurate perfusion system. As we ensured that the cells were provided the proper nutrients and conditions for replication, our paths with other graduate and PhD students frequently overlapped.
Throughout our lab days, I met fellow medical students who were passionate about research and providing solutions to some of the most riveting questions, centered around sustaining organs throughout their transplantation. Through meeting different lab technicians and fellow medical students, the unity of the research community made itself apparent — ultimately, the backbone of research is led by support.
In a different light, this narrative holds true for the culture of Boston, as it values a unified community from diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, Boston is enlivened by the spirit of its people and remains an influential place for all.
