May 29, 2025

     Goodbyes are hard, even when they are "see you later". Currently, I feel very conflicted. I'm super excited to be here and start this life-changing opportunity, but at the same time, I know I will miss everyone back home so, so much. It is hard to find the balance between these two very conflicting feelings.

     On the other hand, my flights went well, which is good because that was what I was most nervous about for this whole internship. I can't wait to get started tomorrow!

May 30, 2025

     I had an amazing first day here at CIMMYT. Everyone is so nice and welcoming! I want to thank Liz, Isabel, and Odette for showing me around. The facilities are so big and there is so much going on!

     I also got my official research question today: Transdisciplinarity in Agricultural Research for Development: A Case Study of CIMMYT Hub Model in Mexico. I'm so excited to work with Jelle and all the other scientists!

May 31, 2025

     Today was a pretty chill day. I didn't have work and I didn't know many people yet, so I didn't have much to do. To pass the time, I went for a walk, worked out, started reading literature for my research, and began a new book (I'm already on page 280)! It rained most of the afternoon, so there wasn't much to do, but I hope I can go swimming tomorrow!

June 1, 2025

     Today was very similar to yesterday. I took my book out to the pool and read since it was a little chilly. I finished my book, Mad Honey, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery. I also finished reading through multiple reports about CIMMYT's MasAgro Hub system. I can't wait for tomorrow!

June 2, 2025

     Today, I was able to join the agronomist team to measure moisture levels in the test plots. It wasn't a super difficult task, but it was fascinating to see how the moisture content differed across the test plots. It was also fun to try to navigate through the emerging plants while not falling on your butt due to all the mud.

     I was also able to help package wheat varieties to ship to the MasAgro Hubs throughout Mexico. It was really fun until you had a package full of inert material that you had to pick out. I spent the afternoon further researching the Hubs and what roles they play in supporting farmers.

June 3, 2025

     Today was rough to start with. I didn't sleep the best last night, so I was tired. There also isn't an official schedule for me yet, so I spent the majority of the morning feeling frustrated and useless. After talking with my support network, I realized that it is only day three. Things are going to take time, no matter what. So do what you can to the best of your ability. Instead of focusing on the negative, enjoy the experience as a whole. Who knows, maybe you'll be able to listen to the rain as you work!

June 4, 2025

     I can't believe that I've officially been in Mexico for one week. It is wild how many cultural differences and similarities there are. I've enjoyed getting to meet everyone in the SAS program here at CIMMYT. However, I have also made my first official friend!

     Tony is a member of the training and outreach team in the SAS program. He is also fairly new to CIMMYT, so we are getting to learn a lot of things together. We both enjoy musicals and the outdoors. I can't wait for tomorrow!

June 5, 2025

     Today was a good day. I got to work with Louis García to learn more about Farmer-Market Linkages with the Private Sector and how these relationships help to promote Conservation Agriculture. After our meeting, he asked me to write a two-page discussion on the pros and cons of farmer-market linkages with the private sector (You can find the paper under CIMMYT Research). It was very interesting how many pros and cons these relationships have. Tomorrow I get to go out to the plots with Simon; I'm so excited to get outside!

June 6, 2025

     Of course, the day that I get to go outside is the hottest day since I've arrived (just my luck). I was still super excited to be outside and getting my hands dirty. Today, I worked with Abel Saldivia and his crew out in the test plots. They were drilling holes for nitrogen measuring equipment. However, after they drilled the big hole, myself and the crew had to dig smaller holes in the side. This required you to lie on your stomach, get shoulder deep in the dirt, and scrape at the side with a fork or small chisel. I was not very good at it compared to everyone else, but I still had fun. My hands are pretty roughed up and will require some TLC. I'm so excited to get off campus tomorrow!

June 7, 2025

     Today was my first day outside of CIMMYT, and it was great. I got to see a glimpse of Texcoco's culture. I can't wait to go out more. Other than my off-campus excursion (look under ESNS for more information), I am currently doing laundry for the first time at CIMMYT. I do know how to work a washing machine, but not a Spanish one. I'm really worried that I'm going to have done something wrong.

June 8, 2025

     Today was a pretty chill day. I started reading a new book called Local Woman Missing; it is really good so far. I also exercised today, which was a great change of pace compared to a very slow day. However, this evening I got to hang out with Liz and her colleagues. They taught me a lot of Spanish and about Mexico. We played Uno and Loteria (which was really fun). We also had pizza, and I learned a lot about Cinco de Mayo.

June 9, 2025

     Today was a pretty good day! I started the day by digging smaller holes in the larger ones. I was much quicker than before. Abel then moved me into the station to start assembling the pieces that go into the smaller holes. This consisted of filling a small bit of PVC with a chemical that captures nitrogen and ammonia to prevent leeching. After putting seven grams of the sand-like component into the PVC, you glue mesh over the top to prevent it from spilling. Tomorrow we have to finish the rest (ALL 600!!!).

June 10, 2025

     Today, we finished all 600 nitrogen leeching prevention containers. We started by finishing the filling and then glued mesh on the rest. I was also able to attend a Tech Talk about the CIMMYT gene bank and learned much more about the process by which they store their 28,000 maize accessions and 150,000 wheat accessions. I finished off the day by digging some more holes. Tomorrow I get to go do something with insects!

June 11, 2025

     Today was a great day! Today, I was able to work with Sylvanus Odjo, a postharvest specialist here at CIMMYT. We went to three different sites around CIMMYT to collect insects for resistance testing. It was super fun and I learned a lot about postharvest techniques. Sylvanus has easily become my favorite scientist here at CIMMYT. He told me today, as we were collecting insects, "Insects don't need visas to cross the border." He is extremely funny and a very good teacher. I learned so many new things today! He had me complete a short report about the difference between agriculture in Mexico and Iowa and the insects that affect maize (See under CIMMYT Research). On the other hand I'm nervous for my first trip to the Hubs tommorrow; it will be a lot of driving.

June 12, 2025

     Wow! I can't believe that I've already been in Mexico for TWO weeks! At this time, I feel that I have done so many different and amazing things. I know I'm late with this journal, but that's because I didn't get home until 9:30 last night. Yesterday, I went with Jessica Gonzalez to visit three research platforms in the Valles Altos Hub (Mixquiahuala, Fl Madero, and Huichapan). We left at seven thirty in the morning and were supposed to make our first stop at 10. BUT, the CIMMYT toll-paying system wasn't working, so we took a longer route and didn't make our first stop until one. It was a very long day.

June 13, 2025

     Today was a very, very long day. After getting home late last night, I was so tired. I even slept a little later than I normally would, but I'm still tired. Today I was in the office, which I was incredibly grateful for. I did my daily journal, my week two blog, presentation evaluations for the Virtual Youth Institute, and I wrote my paper's introduction. I spent the majority of the day on the introduction, and I STILL think I did it wrong. I'm hoping that my mentor, Jelle, will be able to read it and give me some much-needed feedback. However, I get to go to Puebla and Cholula tomorrow, so that's exciting!

June 14, 2025

     Yesterday, I went and explored Puebla and Cholula with CIMMYT's 2025 Day for a Cause Project. Basically, they take a bunch of people who pay to go on this short one-day trip, and all the money goes to a charity. It was super fun and I'm exhausted. If you want to hear more, check out the "Experience Something New Saturdays" page. I'm ready for a relaxed Sunday!

June 15, 2025

     Today was a very relaxed day. I did some general clean-up around my room since it was a busy week. I also did my laundry and replied to students' posts for the Virtual Youth Institute. Other than that, I didn't have much else to do, so I continued reading my book, Local Woman Missing. It is all over the place right now, and I have no idea how it's going to end. I ended the day by calling home and playing games over Discord. 

     However, it was a rough day emotionally. Generally, Father's Day isn't a huge celebration with my family; maybe dinner, and if we are lucky, some fishing or a game. But, being gone on a day that is about spending time with those you love is hard. Seeing my friends go do things with their dad and family was hard to watch. I felt really alone in the moment, even though I did make calls home to my dad and Grandpa. Even then, it was hard. I'm incredibly grateful that I was able to call them and chat.

June 16, 2025

     Today was a great day! Today, I worked in the Communications department with Paco, Sarah, and Jeni. This was the first day I felt like I got to show off what I know. They were showing me their newsletter and social media pages. They then asked me where I saw improvements. This is where I began to talk about youth engagement. Francisco then asked me to develop and conduct outreach to help engage children in agriculture that will be posted in their newsletter and presented to Jelle. He says he's going to bring me back every Monday because they all enjoy having me! (See more about the project under CIMMYT research!)

June 17, 2025

     I was in with the communications department again today, and I got to meet another member of their team, Gaby. She is super nice and funny. To further develop my project, I created an AI cartoon to help visualize the activity, as well as some complex things for children, like crop residue and erosion. Tomorrow my project will be submitted for it first official review. Next Monday I will translate everything into Spanish. I'm so excited!

June 18, 2025

     Today was super fun!. Wednesdays are when I'm with Slyvanus, and I always enjoy our conversations. Today I helped him with a postharvest experiment by measuring the humidity and temperature of seed samples. However, tonight I served as an Expert for the Virtual Youth Institute and got to meet so many young change makers; I'm excited to see what they will all do! Congrats to Group 4 (Olivia, Jessie, Aniskaa, Janhawi, Spencer, and Mrittika) on becoming Borlaug Scholars! However, I'm ready to have a good night's sleep the weather is making me not feel the best.

June 19, 2025

     I can't believe that I've been in Mexico for three whole weeks! It feels like a lifetime, but also only a couple of days. Being here for three weeks, I will have had my first article published by CIMMYT today for my Youth Engagement Section. If you want to see it, I will post it on my blog later this week. I also started my next section on pollinators today. Tonight I get to attend a dancing class at CIMMYT and I'm super excited!

June 20, 2025

     I'm very bad at dancing. That is all the context you will get. Today I worked with Maria, and I learned about the pipeline research that has to go through with donors to get approved. It is crazy how long they have to wait for approval sometimes. I also finished generating images for my second segment so that it could be sent for approval. Overall, I didn't have too much to do. On the other hand, I've had the same headache for the past couple of days. Nothing I do gets rid of it. I've been drying excess amounts of water, avoiding sweets, and getting to bed early. But it will not go away!

June 21, 2025

     Today was a pretty chill day. I went out and explored Texcoco more and ate lunch. I did not sleep well the night before, so I was exhausted, and when I got back, all I wanted to do was take a nap, but I didn't because that would mess up my sleep schedule even more. Instead, I started the laundry and worked on generating AI images for my next Youth engagement segment. I had pizza for supper because I was craving a bit of home after the blue maize quesadillas.

June 22, 2025

     Today was a very relaxed day. I finished my book, Local Woman Missing, by Mary Kubica, which had a great ending. Thank you, Cailey, for getting it for me. Other than that, I worCked out, folded laundry, and did some general housekeeping.

June 23, 2025

     Today I was with the communications team again. I submitted my second segment to Mariel for review and began working on my third segment. This one is about water quality. I finished writing the segment pretty early in the morning, but ChatGPT was not working, so I couldn't generate the images. Finally, we got it to work, and I spent the rest of my afternoon generating images. But ChatGPT is being very difficult.

June 24, 2025

     Today, I was with the SAS training division, specifically, I worked with Tony as he taught me more about what the training division does. After I develop a plan for a pretend workshop using the strategies he had taught me throughout the day. It was a lot of fun. I ended the day by making some edits to my abstract before submitting it to the World Food Prize Foundation.

June 25, 2025

     Today was the first day in a while that I got to build my agronomic skills. I was with Sylvanus, and he took me and Vica (another student) to the lab to learn more about maize quality. However, they didn't have anything they needed to do today with maize quality. Instead, we worked in the soil labs in the morning, following a procedure to test the amount of ammonia and nitrates in samples. It was so much fun and I learned a lot. Then in the afternoon, we worked in the maize lab to help identify how much iron and zinc were in Maize flour samples. On top of everything, the baking lab gave Vica and me free fresh bread! I hope I get to go back soon!

June 26, 2025

     Today, I am attending a Regenerative Agriculture Training Session with the SAS Training Team. I was able to learn about biological pest control, herbicides, safety equipment, and more. It was a lot of fun, but a long day. The more session was very interactive and fun, whereas the afternoon session was a lot of lecturing. I'm ready for Friday.

June 27, 2025

     Today I was with the training team again. We finished the session by learning about the benefits of microorganisms and how we can use them to our advantage. I ended the week by attending the SAS program happy hour, where we meditated. I'm excited to sleep in tomorrow.

June 28, 2025

    Today I did my laundry and worked on my paper. My friend Joshua wasn't able to go anywhere till tomorrow. So I worked a lot on the introduction of my paper, including trying to condense it to three pages. I also cleaned up around my room. I ended the day by working out. I'm so excited for tomorrow.

June 29, 2025

     Today I went to the Teotihuacan Pyramids. It was a lot of fun. If you want to here and see that picture, look at the Experience Something New Saturday Page (even though it is technically Sunday). I finished the day by completing my introduction and starting the methods sections of my paper.

June 30, 2025

     I spent my day in the Maize Quality Lab with Aide. It was super fun, and I got to work with new equipment. Today, I was doing a lot of prep. work for an experiment that they will start tomorrow. This preparation required me to prepare crucibles by washing, baking, and measuring out the reagents. I also prepared two different reactants: a 95% Ethanol mixture and a 78% Ethanol mixture. Doing this required me to use a two-liter graduated cylinder. I finish my afternoon by measuring different maize flour into test tubes. This was a very tedious process because you only needed a small amount of the flour, and I could never get it right.

July 1, 2025

     It's crazy to think that I have been at CIMMYT for a full month. It has felt like an eternity, but also only a couple of days. Today was pretty boring. I was supposed to spend the day with the MEAL team, but the person in the department that I was supposed to be with was sick. So, instead, I was given a very short briefing and sent on my way. I spent the majority of the day doing a bunch of training courses for college about the First Amendment, sexual assault prevention, and more. I got them all done, which is good because now I don't have to worry about them!

July 2, 2025

     Today was a pretty good day. I am attending the new student induction section and I made two new friends, Sylvia and another intern whose name I can't spell. We plan to go to Mexico City this weekend! I also got a lot of free CIMMYT merch!

July 3, 2025

     Today was a really good day. I got a lot of my blog written and got to do some cool tours with the induction sessions. Sylvanus took Sylvia and me to see the mechanization in action when they were planting a test plot! Tomorrow I'm also with Sylvanus and I'm super excited!

July 4, 2025

     Sylvanus had me working in the lab again today with Aldo and Aide. I had a great time making tortillas, digesting flour samples, and more. I learned a lot and improved my coordination significantly. To see and learn more, go check out my weekly blog.

July 5, 2025

     I'm really bad about doing Saturdays. I just get so caught up in what I'm doing that I tend to forget. I was working on my presentation for my spotlight session for CIMMYT. This is where I will present my research and findings to anyone who would like to listen. I also did my laundry and a couple of other housekeeping things to ensure that I have a great week.

July 6, 2025

      Today I went out and explored Mexico City with Sylvia. If you would like to know more, check out the ESNS tab!

July 7, 2025

     Today, I spent the entire day working on my presentation and paper. I finished my methods page, and I am about halfway done with my results page. I also finished my references page and supporting information!

July 8, 2025

     Today I was with the Administration Division. They were organizing a bunch of files for a certain project. I got done doing everything they had for me in less than an hour. So I spent the day working on my Internship Report and Presentation for next week. I finished my report and presentation! Everything is done except my reflection, which I will complete in my last week at CIMMYT. I also developed my innovation network.

July 9, 2025

     Today I was working outside with Joshua and Sylvanus. We were doing different planting trials using different forms of mechanization. I was also able to take soil samples to measure moisture and calibrate machinery. I ended the day by attending a review session to help Sylvia prepare her questionnaire for the upcoming focus groups. Our meeting went super late, so I didn't work out (it makes me feel kinda cruddy), but I did walk a lot today in the fields, so it is what it is!

July 10, 2025

     I'm not going to lie; today was super disappointing. I was supposed to be with the Geographic Information Systems Team. I was given an hour-long presentation by them and then told that this afternoon, they would come get me so I could help them fly a drone for imaging. Well, they never came and got me, so I spent eight hours of my nine-hour work day just sitting on my computer in my office, trying to make time pass. No email or anything saying that plans changed, just waiting and hoping. This isn't the first time it has happened either. I've spent the majority of this internship sitting at a desk with nothing to do. I'm beyond frustrated, and I'm trying so hard to stay positive.

June 11, 2025

     Today was significantly better than yesterday. I was with Odette to learn about Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESYI). She gave a super in-depth presentation about the goals of the division and the activities they do. She then gave me an activity to do about how innovations in agriculture can contribute to gender gaps (See CIMMYT Research). It was super cool and engaging. 

June 12, 2025

     Today was my relaxation day. I did my laundry and focused on my presentation. I'm starting to get really nervous and excited for it. I enjoyed a movie night and pizza, which was super nice after a long week.

June 13, 2025

     I went with Odette and her family to Molina de Flores. It was super cool. After I worked on my presentation some more, and worked out!

July 14, 2025

     Today I was in the Lab with Aldo again! He quizzed me on a bunch of things I had done previously, such as preparing crucibles, and I'm proud to say that I remember most of the process. He also had me measure the amount of protein in groundnut samples. There are nine hundred samples that need to be done, but in around three hours, we have only completed a hundred. It is not because the process is difficult, but the machine that does the measurement takes time to work. I also worked on my presentation more!

July 15, 2025

     I can't believes it two weeks until I leave. It felt like just yesterday I arrived. Well anyway, today I was in the lab again with Aldo. I got to help with a disgestability experiment. It was super cool. I spent the evening getting myself ready for my presenation. I'm super nervous and excited!

July 16, 2025

     Today, was a very good day. My presentation went really well. However, I didn't realize how much my adrelaline was keeping me going because as soon as I was done I crashed. I spent the rest of my day revising my paper based on questions I got from my presentation and working on task for college.

July 17, 2025

     I can't believe that I only have twelve days left at CIMMYT. It feels like I just got here yesterday. I got my schedule for next week, and I'm in the lab every day except one! That day, they wanted me to finish my report. If I get done early, maybe I'll be able to do something with Sylvanus. As I'm writing this, it is 4:43, which means I have 17 minutes left of work. It is thundering and looks like it could rain any minute, so I hope it holds off until I get home!

July 18, 2025

     Today I was in the Lab again. I helped to prepare a lot of different experiments for Monday. This included preparing crucibles, labeling test tubes, and measuring out different flour samples. I got off early because we finished everything. I attended another Cumbia class. It was a lot of fun and I was much better than the first time.

July 19, 2025

     It is crazy that I only have ten days left in Mexico. Today, I slept in and did my laundry. I also uploaded my day in the life videos for the World Food Prize Foundation. I worked out and ordered food in. Tomorrow I plan to do more things on my computer, but today I needed a break.

July 20, 2025

     Today was a great day! I relaxed, folded laundry, got a bunch of stuff around for the week (mainly thank yous and gifts), and worked on my paper. I hopped on Discord to play games for a little bit and absolutely destroyed Rylan in colonists (11-3). I'm ready for my day in the lab tomorrow!

July 21, 2025

     Today was a pretty good day. I was in the lab with Aldo, and I was able to help measure the protein in the groundnut samples again. I think I did somewhere between 300-400 samples before I had my final meeting with Jelle. He leaves for a family trip, so that will be the last time we will talk while I'm here. I really hope they have flan at dinner tonight because it was so good at lunch!

July 22, 2025

     Today I worked on my final revisions for my paper before sending it to Renee. I'm really proud of all the work I put into it. I ran it through so many different paper graders to really put my best foot forward. Lunch was really good today, and I'm also excited for dinner!

July 23, 2025

     Today, I was with Joshua in the morning to help measure maize stands for different planting methods. It was a lot of fun. At 11 we had a meeting with Sylvanus about the focus groups that were conducted by Sylvia and Joshua the week before. In the afternoon I worked on some college stuff because it was raining so we couldn't go back out to the field. Tomorrow I have an interview and I'll be in the lab.

July 24, 2025

     Today I was in the lab. I was helping to analyze the color of groundnut samples and then mill the samples into flour. It was so dusty in the room, and my allergies are acting up terribly. I ran out of my allergy medicine about a month ago, and I was doing fine until today. But it's okay. I'll be able to tough it out until I get home in five days. Isn't that crazy, FIVE days!

July 25, 2025

     Today I was in the lab again with the groundnut samples. I did basically the same thing I did yesterday. Tonight I got prepped for my trip to the hot springs tomorrow. It is a four-hour drive there and then another four-hour drive back. I'm dreading it, but I know it will be fun!

July 26, 2025

     Today I went to the hot springs with Sylvia. It was a lot of fun. Check out the ESNS page to learn more!

July 27, 2025

     Today I was so tired. I slept in, did my laundry, slept some more, packed a majority of my things, and worked out. I was so grateful for the relaxing day, especially after such a long day yesterday.