Slight Change in Plans

The last week has induced much internal contemplation. While pursuing spina bifida as my main focus for my original work, I started asking myself a plethora of questions. Meetings with my mentor have opened my eyes to concepts I did not even think of for my original work. Because of this, I am planning to redirect my focus. Although there will be a shift in the overall direction of my work, the information and research I have already gathered will be useful in its contribution as examples for explanations and ideas I now plan to explore. While these changes are not yet finalized, I am excited to make this shift and am working on the steps to update my plans. Speaking with my mentor has incredibly influenced my ideas and positively impacted my thought process. After learning more of the field and gathering insight, I have realized that my hard work and research would be more useful and revealing if my overarching original work is altered.

In the following week, I plan to alter the focal point of my research. While still focusing on fetal surgery, I would like to explore the differences in funding for research on different conditions. Why might some research endeavors get more funding than others? Is the system for distributing funds and resources justifiable? How are the projects assessed? How do the possible outcomes of the procedures (life or death vs. quality of life) influence the decisions for funding? Do the possible outcomes outweigh the number of individuals affected when funding decisions are made? I look forward to answering these questions in the following days and weeks. The changes in my research objectives may be seen as a setback, however they have made me more excited and are areas I think have more potential. Rather than a step backwards, I see this as a step in the right direction, and I cannot wait to see what may come out of it.