S-STEM/TRAIN Scholar Alicia Fritz's Blog

  Hey everyone, it's been a very very long week. It started off very productive and positive with me putting together my rough draft and submitting my ASU application, but then I got some scary news the other day. Someone in my partner's family, who works in health care, may have covid. Since then, it's been a rush to make sure everyone in her family gets tested, and me doing what I can to be supportive and helpful while not being able to go to them physically. We've all been anxiously waiting for the test results, and it's hard not to be there to comfort everyone. So I just really just wanted to come on here and say that I hope you guys are safe over this break and you're able to have a restful and peaceful time, despite everything going on. I'm sending my good wishes to you all.

  This has been one of the busiest weeks of the semester for me. I’ve been having a lot of meetings with advisors to figure out my transfer to ASU in the fall, as well many emails and meetings for my research project. It’s been challenging to focus on one aspect of it because I’m constantly learning new exciting information so I get wayy off-topic. However, my resource list and project in general are coming together, which is relieving. I’ve been looking at the socioeconomic impact of marigolds, the species Tagetes erecta in particular, on the Mesoamerica region. Before I started this project, I wasn’t even aware this was an edible flower, but now I’ve been able to learn in-depth about so many dishes that marigold is used in. Additionally, I’ve been reading a great deal about its medicinal properties and uses in relation with the Aztec. However, I think my favorite part has been looking into the ritual component of this flower. I read a study about the increased presence of marigol...

  This week consisted of making sure everything was in order for my research proposal that was due today. The process of submitting the first assignment for this project was definitely a bit stressful. However, one fun thing about looking at the topic of ethnobotany has been finding random little bits of information about different plants. One thing I did to help me get an idea for what plant I wanted to focus on was doing the primary Wikipedia searches for different plants and seeing if there was anything I was curious about or anything that I felt needed to be studied. These multiple dives on Wikipedia gave me all the random bits of information I did not know I needed, especially about local plants. I feel like everyone knows this, but I learned how Agave is used in tequila production! I was very unaware of that fact. The book I mentioned in my last post lists also many medical uses for Agave I didn’t know, such as to help indigestion, heal cuts and burns, and even to treat jaund...

  This week has been filled with getting ahead on my class assignments, so I can focus on my research proposal that’s due next Friday. However, I’ve still been doing a lot of reading for my project when I’ve had the time. Dr. Ortiz recommended me a beneficial resource: the book Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore. I’m really enjoying its contents, and I think it’s going to play a key part in the development of my research proposal. After considering so many topics and questions, it’s going to be a nice change of pace to focus on the specific question I’m going to ask. I’m a huge fan of planning things out and considering all the small details, so hopefully, it’s a little less stressful from this point on now that I know my destination. I’ve also been reading that most people have their rough draft due this week, so I just wanted to say good luck to everyone! I’m rooting for you all!