To hear from some past VT-REEL participants, please watch the video here.
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Mallory Cerkleski (VT-REEL 2019) is currently a senior majoring in Sustainable Food Systems.
How did the research experience in VT-REEL compare to what you thought / imagined?
"Being able to participate in research opened my eyes to how much I enjoy it. Before this program, I wrote off research as something I would never like to do because I thought of research as tedious tasks, working inside and reading all day. To my surprise, research doesn't always have to look like that. I spent time in the field, getting my hands dirty, interacting with people, and having fun!"
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Logan Heflin (VT-REEL 2019) is currently a junior majoring in Plant Genomics and Biotechnology.
What advice do you have for someone interested in VT-REEL, but nervous about being away from home?
"If you are interested in VT-REEL, but nervous at the prospect of traveling to Virginia to meet new people, I would simple say: GO FOR IT. Some of the best experiences in life just require a leap of faith. ... This is one of the most perfect opportunities to do just that. Throughout the summer, you are able to work with world-class researchers, renowned for their work in their field. It's a great experience!"

Logan is also a co-author on a recent publication in Phytobiomes, as some of his VT-REEL data was included in the paper. 
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Rachael Walcheck (VT-REEL 2019) is currently a junior majoring in Microbiology.
How did the research experience in VT-REEL compare to what you thought / imagined?
"I haven't conducted real research before this, besides independent projects in lab classes at my University. This experience gave me the freedom to be independent and have control over my project, but also have a mentor there to guide me. I think I gained more confidence being in a lab setting because I know now ... what it's like to be in a real lab."
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Renee Napoliello (VT-REEL 2020) is currently a Masters student conducting research in Genomics.
In summer 2020, our program was online / remote because of the pandemic. That said, what did you like best about VT-REEL?
"Well my favorite experience was meeting all the people involved in the program. I have had minimal interaction with PIs or even graduate students in previous research work. It was really great to meet so many nice people at different stages in their career, who were so supportive of undergraduates."
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Zahria Duncan (on left; VT-REEL 2018) is currently a senior majoring in Environmental Science.
How did participating in VT-REEL improve your laboratory skills or understanding of science?
"Since participating in VT-REEL, I completed another internship and began conducting research at my University. I  am still using the knowledge I learned during that experience today. ... So I think VT-REEL gave me the skills I need to be successful in my major and future job aspects."
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Hunter Aliff (VT-REEL 2018) is currently a PhD student conducting research in Biochemistry.
How did participating in VT-REEL help you achieve your career goals?
"It gave me valuable networking and mentoring opportunities, which I leveraged to get into graduate school. It also gave me a much wider breadth of knowledge, especially with how to communicate research to the outside world. ... When I'm working in the lab, I now think about how to get my work out of my head so it can help others."
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Sophie Pinton (VT-REEL 2017) is currently a Masters student conducting research in Food Science.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself on Day 1 of VT-REEL?
"Try to push yourself to reach out and ask the faculty members, your lab team, and your peers about any concepts or methods that may seem intriguing to you or may even confuse or intimidate you. You will be rewarded with knowledge, skills and confidence to continue to tackle new challenges."

Sophie is also a co-author on a recent publication in the Journal of Food Protection, as some of her VT-REEL data was included in the paper.