Every year for the past 20-ish years, the T32 Training Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology hosts an annual retreat at Fallen Leaf Lake to foster cohesiveness and community.  In October 2023, we joined the UC Davis T32 graduate students and faculty on their retreat.  

A brisk 3.5-hour drive to Fallen Leaf Lake, a smallish lake near Lake Tahoe, took us to a cabin-style conference center (and resort where Stanford alumni spend their summers) that has stood for more than a century. Over this retreat weekend, I took in the wooded scenery and intriguing science.

The first evening was for the late-night poster session. My cabin mate, a UC Davis MARC undergraduate, gave a poster presentation on chronic acetaminophen intake’s effect on hepatocyte health. Other undergraduates, grad students, and even faculty also presented their work. I enjoyed the posters and power point presentations that showcased research, with many engaging ones. These talks made me even more enthusiastic for graduate school; at the time, I thought, "I could be involved in graduate school research within the next year! I could be researching similar topics and questions discussed here by then. I could even be presenting my graduate school research at a department retreat with other like-minded researchers." How exciting!

On Saturday afternoon, we had a small block of free time to explore the area, and we all partook in various activities. I went kayaking with fellow PREP scholars Andrew and Christian. The silence of the lake environment was even more apparent out in the middle of the water. There were even better views of the mountain faces teeming with trees from that little kayak (although the thought that I might drop my phone whilst taking pictures did cross my mind). Afterwards we played volleyball with other students. Twelve of us played at any one time with others on the sidelines ready to substitute at a moment’s notice. It was a joyous time connecting with each other this way.

The Fallen Leaf retreat includes yearly traditions. Faculty members try to guide students up hikes to the peak of the mountains overlooking the lake every year. I say try because in recent years, the students typically do not complete the hike and turn back. The faculty said that not packing water was a reason for this (…well…if they’re talking about the summit of Mt. Tallac, the faculty have a point – it’s over 9700 ft. and not a casual stroll for the unprepared. Seriously. – Editor). Fortunately, this year was different – a group of students triumphed!

A Saturday morning polar bear lake plunge is another of these traditions. Instead, I decided to go kayaking at the time people were doing the polar bear plunge. So, I did not do the plunge… until 7:45am on Sunday. This last day of the trip was the only chance I had left. Andrew stood on the dock just in case. Then I jumped. One second underwater passed, and I felt nothing. All was calm. Maybe a half second went by before I was super cold from head to toe and paddled hastily back to the dock (…mmm….you can watch the video and check out the timing and spatial coordinates for yourself -- Editor). What a way to wake up!

Going to a retreat like this was a nice way to meet other like-minded researchers and to keep in touch with those I’d met UC Davis as an undergrad or in campus DEI programs. It was also pleasant to see former research colleagues. Hearing updates about what my network of peers are working on is neat, and it may be possible for us to collaborate on research in the future.

Living – albeit temporarily – in the cabins has left me with a more nuanced appreciation for the privilege of living amidst California’s natural wonders. Waking up to the serenity of the lake, walking amongst the trees from the cabin for breakfast, watching the nighttime stars….it was a small paradise and we in PREP were grateful to be guests.

The retreat further amped up my enthusiasm for graduate school. I will soon be conducting graduate school research of my own, it could possibility be related to current research at UC Davis, and I will get to connect with a community of colleagues at my graduate school at events like the Fallen Leaf Retreat.