1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?
I plan to interview Dee Ann Matthews (a.k.a. Mrs. Matthews). Before becoming a teacher at iPoly, she received a Ph.D. at UC Irvine in Neurobiology and took part in research primarily dealing with the hippocampus. She has so much advice to give, especially when it comes to research. From what I've heard, research can be a dog-eat-dog world, and I'd like to get more insight into why that is and how I can deal with it.
2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask?
What was the first research project you participated in, and how did you become involved?
What exactly did participating in that project entail?
How did you first become interested in the hippocampus?
How did your research regarding that region of the brain turn out?
What part of your education prepared you the most for research?
What kept you going during the harder times?
Why did you decide to get your Ph.D. in Neurobiology?
What was acquiring that Ph.D. like?
What general advice can you give me as I become more involved in research?
What do you know about extremophile research and its general standing in the science community?
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Mentorship and Research Update
Friday was an exciting day.
I made it to Oak Crest at 2:00 pm and stood gawking at the bizarre BSA readings until my mentor ambled into sight. He ushered my fellow unpaid intern and me into the conference room along with the CEO of Oak Crest and three paid researchers. Thus began an hour long chat about "what's cooking." In the end, I found myself officially involved in that very cool extremophiles project, a continuation of one carried out last year. Thanks to this development, my topic is definitely microbiology and I know my EQ will most likely have something to do with extremophiles. Being part of this project means I will have to brush up on some bacteria and archaea basics and read the paper written on the novel methods used by Oak Crest last year. That's all I can say about the project for now - don't want to spoil it for the world.
As far as research goes, I'm currently reading a review from the Journal of Extremophiles that details DNA transfer among hyperthermophilic (super heat (>80ºC) loving) bacteria and archaea. DNA is exchanged across species and domains and enables these microbes to evolve according to their extreme environments. One important find was the presence of a gene coding for reverse gyrase - an enzyme that prevents DNA degradation due to high temperatures - and is now, thanks to ages of DNA transfer, a commonality among all hyperthermophiles.
Last thing:
I made it to Oak Crest at 2:00 pm and stood gawking at the bizarre BSA readings until my mentor ambled into sight. He ushered my fellow unpaid intern and me into the conference room along with the CEO of Oak Crest and three paid researchers. Thus began an hour long chat about "what's cooking." In the end, I found myself officially involved in that very cool extremophiles project, a continuation of one carried out last year. Thanks to this development, my topic is definitely microbiology and I know my EQ will most likely have something to do with extremophiles. Being part of this project means I will have to brush up on some bacteria and archaea basics and read the paper written on the novel methods used by Oak Crest last year. That's all I can say about the project for now - don't want to spoil it for the world.
As far as research goes, I'm currently reading a review from the Journal of Extremophiles that details DNA transfer among hyperthermophilic (super heat (>80ºC) loving) bacteria and archaea. DNA is exchanged across species and domains and enables these microbes to evolve according to their extreme environments. One important find was the presence of a gene coding for reverse gyrase - an enzyme that prevents DNA degradation due to high temperatures - and is now, thanks to ages of DNA transfer, a commonality among all hyperthermophiles.
Last thing:
Amid shining equipment and receptacles of volatile fluids (including
liquid nitrogen), a single flower sits softly under a sky light... :')
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Blog #3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals
1.) List your topic here:
Microbiology
2.) What do you plan to do this year to show growth in each of the ESLRs? Be specific and use an example. Examples can come from senior project, model assembly, core, and/or participation in senior class ASB or other organizations on campus (clubs etc).
• As an Effective iPoly Citizen, I will participate in more community service opportunities including beach and natural habitat clean-ups with TreePeople and Amigos de Los Rios, the feeding of the homeless at the Union Station near my house, and the Wiggle Waggle Walk next month. I will also be more active at school mostly through the Blood Drive committee, but also through HOPE club and Christian Club. If any of my classmates need help with anything, from a physics problem to the challenges of Senior Project, I will be there to give it.
• As an Effective Learner, I will take full advantage of the opportunities that my mentorships provides, helping out around the lab as much as possible and not being daunted by topics or techniques that I find challenging. I will also put in more study time for each core subject than I have in previous years and step up to the plate whenever somebody needs academic help - a.k.a. tutoring. After all, teaching is learning. Cal Poly and Cal Tech provide an array of presentations on various topics throughout the year, so I hope to take advantage of those as well.
•As an Effective User of Technology, I will take advantage of sites like ProQuest, JSTOR, and Academia.edu to provide me with reliable pieces of research, especially since my topic is a scientific one. If there is a topic I feel I need a deeper understanding of, I will consider Kahn Academy, Coursera, and MIT OpenCourseWare as sources for it.
•As an Effective Communicator, I will work on becoming a clearer communicator and improving my projection. During core classes, I will step up to whatever role is given to me in group work and not let fear or self-consciousness prevent me from expressing my ideas. Neither will I let my conviction in my ideas cloud my attention to the ideas and opinions of my group mates. Being a member of the Blood Drive committee will definitely give me the opportunity to improve my verbal communication skills, as I will have to make class announcements regarding upcoming blood drives, and ensure that everybody understands the donor requirements.
Microbiology
2.) What do you plan to do this year to show growth in each of the ESLRs? Be specific and use an example. Examples can come from senior project, model assembly, core, and/or participation in senior class ASB or other organizations on campus (clubs etc).
• As an Effective iPoly Citizen, I will participate in more community service opportunities including beach and natural habitat clean-ups with TreePeople and Amigos de Los Rios, the feeding of the homeless at the Union Station near my house, and the Wiggle Waggle Walk next month. I will also be more active at school mostly through the Blood Drive committee, but also through HOPE club and Christian Club. If any of my classmates need help with anything, from a physics problem to the challenges of Senior Project, I will be there to give it.
• As an Effective Learner, I will take full advantage of the opportunities that my mentorships provides, helping out around the lab as much as possible and not being daunted by topics or techniques that I find challenging. I will also put in more study time for each core subject than I have in previous years and step up to the plate whenever somebody needs academic help - a.k.a. tutoring. After all, teaching is learning. Cal Poly and Cal Tech provide an array of presentations on various topics throughout the year, so I hope to take advantage of those as well.
•As an Effective User of Technology, I will take advantage of sites like ProQuest, JSTOR, and Academia.edu to provide me with reliable pieces of research, especially since my topic is a scientific one. If there is a topic I feel I need a deeper understanding of, I will consider Kahn Academy, Coursera, and MIT OpenCourseWare as sources for it.
•As an Effective Communicator, I will work on becoming a clearer communicator and improving my projection. During core classes, I will step up to whatever role is given to me in group work and not let fear or self-consciousness prevent me from expressing my ideas. Neither will I let my conviction in my ideas cloud my attention to the ideas and opinions of my group mates. Being a member of the Blood Drive committee will definitely give me the opportunity to improve my verbal communication skills, as I will have to make class announcements regarding upcoming blood drives, and ensure that everybody understands the donor requirements.
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