I realize it's been 3 weeks since my last post. Life.. has taken over! Well, we survived Irene and I recently began my NYU classes and am finally getting used to this weird commuter schedule. I must say, NYC is growing on me. Everyday, even though there's a million people and tons of air pollution, I find myself loving the city more & more. I've even thought about moving there in the next few years... even if it means having no car, a smaller living space, no back yard, and having to climb 4 flights of stairs. All of that used to seem scary, but now it seems adventurous. Who is this person that's typing? I would have never said anything like that 5 years ago. We'll see....
I have yet to recieve my DNA results and am so excited to get them :) I think I know which haplo group my maternal side came from, but we'll know here soon. With that being said, I can't wait to get my hands on some research. I miss the lab! And I'm excited about picking a lab to work with by this fall :) So far my classes have gone from a difficulty of understandable ---> extreme. I think I may have permanently damaged my brain when trying to figure out a crazy analytical question. I hope it recovers.
I did get to celebrate my B-Day by going to the Jets-Cowboys game where the Jets won the game specifically for me! Oh, and seeing our former Preseident bush there with his wife. Interesting....
On another note! The Curly Accidental Scientist website had its 1000th visitor on 9/5... exactly 1 month after its creation. :) Keep it coming! As of today, (45 days old) we've had +1350. I'm glad to see that people are finding it useful, and believe me, I wish I would've had all of this information when I was an undergrad. With that being said, I've got tons of reading to do, I miss my LSAMP students, and one of my professors just cancelled class b/c he has to go to Barcelona for a conference. I like how the rest of this week looks!
Keep telling others about it and see you again soon!!
Michelle
About Me
- TheCurlyAccidentalScientist
- I am an accidental Scientist. Creative and imaginative by nature, I had always thought I would be a writer/ editor for some largely famous company, but in the long run... DNA became my topic of choice and lifelong partner.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Right around the corner
So it's official... I'm and NYU employee with a real ID. This was no easy feat and I'm glad it's over. Who would have thought the checklist that I need to have completed by the end of next week would be so daunting? Between paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, the shots from the employee immunizations dept that I have to keep going back for, the tuition reimbursement paperwork that looks impossible, amongst other types of paperwork (health, dental, lawyers, etc) it all seems never ending... and I couldn't be happier!
On the other end.... that stuff is only for the employee part... not the Student part. That is a whole other checklist :( On my website, this is the type of "Back-to-School" checklist that I refer to www.thecurlyaccidentalscientist.com under Tips. Most students, including myself many times, were mostly caught up with the "normal" Back-to-School stuff like supplies, clothes, books, and well... not the important stuff that we all ignore until Holds appear on our scholarly accounts that prevent us from doing anything else. And it is this that I am trying to avoid as should you.
I must say that my travels into NYC from NJ to accomplish these tasks have been quite interesting. I was on the E the other day (subway... not the drug) when a Mariachi band broke out in song and dance and wrapped up their performance by walking through the subway cart extending their cowboy hats for any charitable donations we were willing to give up. What was funny was the fact that everyone on board acted as if nothing was happening, as if they were so very used to these things happening all of the time. I smiled and kindly denied charity seeing as I myself am a poor struggling college student. But I was happy to see that others were willing to give.
I was transferring from the E at Lexington to the 6 when I (a misplaced Southern Florida girl living in NJ for the last 5 years) heard music... live Country music coming from around the corner. It was nice to hear as I made my way to my destination, but upon returning 5 hours later, the same guy was standing there singing the same song as he had been singing 5 hours ago. This made me chuckle and I began to think of all of experiences I have yet to experience seeing as I am now a commuter to NYC.
I look forward to what NYC has to offer me in the coming years...
Thursday, August 11, 2011
DNA-ing Myself
So what is this project? National Geographic decided to make a map about the historical human migration patterns via collecting and analyzing thousands of DNA samples from people all over the world.
(http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/human-family-tree-3706-interactive) While watching the show I was intrigued by the possible migration patterns my ancestors could have taken, and the migrational journey of how they got to where they currently are.
How do they do this?
They can do this by testing your paternal DNA (on the Y chromosome) or your maternal DNA (Mitochondrial DNA). For females who want to test their paternal ancestrial migration patterns (females don't have a Y chromosome... it's what makes a male... well... a male) you can't be tested directly. You'll need a brother or cousin from your paternal side or any direct male descendent from your paternal grandfather will do.
I ordered the kit and recieved it within a few days. Although the kit is $99, other sites were wanting $250+ before this project came around. Before I had even watched the show I had heard of genetic courses offering this as part of their labs and was excited at the fact that any person could do this. But since I didn;t take that course,$250 is a lot of money to a student, so when I saw the chance for $99 I took it. The kit came with an abundant amount of information, the Genographic DVD, a poster containing all of the genetic markers they use to identify which migration patterns your ancestors took, and most importantly 2 cheek scrapers and 2 vials = 2 samples to make sure they get it right.
I'm super excited to get my results. I'm having my maternal DNA sequenced first and am excited for the results! Later, I will have to order a 2nd kit and have my brother tested for our paternal DNA. I'll keep you updated!!
Friday, August 5, 2011
So I'm here!
So a new journey is taking place.... and I'm scared out of my mind. I'd love to be able to say that it all comes so easy, but quite the contrary, it's all so confusing and unclear.
Starting a new school and leaving the creature comforts of what's been your home for the last 5 years calls to mind a silent unnerving anxiety attack that won't go away until (I'm guessing) the end of my first semester and many bottles of wine or beer... or I guess whatever I can afford as a grad student will suffice. I mean come on, I'm that cliche "small town girl who leaves her humble roots to pursue her big dreams in the big city". After all, I guess this is what I always wanted and worked hard for, but never imagined I'd get here.
So, I'm here! School is just 4 weeks away, and until now I've been frozen... with fear, anxiety, and excitement all rolled into one. How do I sign into the schools website? How do I access my school email? How do I find my academic advisor? How do I get into research? Which courses should I take and with whom? These are all questions I could ask anyone walking down the hallway at my last school, and now I have no one to ask. This feels intimidating, but I have to push through.Thank God for the internet.
Yesterday I completed my schedule for the Fall term... and it was no easy task. It seems simple. "Here are the courses you need to take" and everything after that was a mess. It took me 5 weeks to figure out the new web-system, register for classes (the correct way), turn in Health Center related paperwork and find my NYU email. How can it take a "smart girl like me" 5 weeks to figure this out? I don't know, but thank goodness I gave myself time. I think "time" is the most important tool you can give yourself for any task (says the typing procrastinator who follows her advice 50% of the time).
So now that I'm registered, I've got to figure out where on this island are my classes? And anyone knows traveling in NYC is no easy task. Thank goodness for smart phones and Apps. Luckily I am decently familiar with the area and have some idea about travel time, traffic, and the buildings that are holding my classes. Orientation should be within the next few weeks and should answer many more of my questions.
Wish me luck!
Starting a new school and leaving the creature comforts of what's been your home for the last 5 years calls to mind a silent unnerving anxiety attack that won't go away until (I'm guessing) the end of my first semester and many bottles of wine or beer... or I guess whatever I can afford as a grad student will suffice. I mean come on, I'm that cliche "small town girl who leaves her humble roots to pursue her big dreams in the big city". After all, I guess this is what I always wanted and worked hard for, but never imagined I'd get here.
So, I'm here! School is just 4 weeks away, and until now I've been frozen... with fear, anxiety, and excitement all rolled into one. How do I sign into the schools website? How do I access my school email? How do I find my academic advisor? How do I get into research? Which courses should I take and with whom? These are all questions I could ask anyone walking down the hallway at my last school, and now I have no one to ask. This feels intimidating, but I have to push through.Thank God for the internet.
Yesterday I completed my schedule for the Fall term... and it was no easy task. It seems simple. "Here are the courses you need to take" and everything after that was a mess. It took me 5 weeks to figure out the new web-system, register for classes (the correct way), turn in Health Center related paperwork and find my NYU email. How can it take a "smart girl like me" 5 weeks to figure this out? I don't know, but thank goodness I gave myself time. I think "time" is the most important tool you can give yourself for any task (says the typing procrastinator who follows her advice 50% of the time).
So now that I'm registered, I've got to figure out where on this island are my classes? And anyone knows traveling in NYC is no easy task. Thank goodness for smart phones and Apps. Luckily I am decently familiar with the area and have some idea about travel time, traffic, and the buildings that are holding my classes. Orientation should be within the next few weeks and should answer many more of my questions.
Wish me luck!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Request Denied...
Officially an unofficial lab rat.... I was in the lab on a trial basis. But this didn't come so easy.
That research course I had taken had grabbed me, spun me around, flipped me about and spit me out and I couldn't wait to do it all again... good 'ole Cell Culture lab. At the beginning of that course I couldn't believe all the neuronal activity going on in my brain. It was as if someone had turned on a light switch that I didn't even know existed that included unlimited amounts of fireworks. This stuff was amazing! How had I not known about this? How had I almost not taken this course? I became so intrigued that I built up the courage (from where I haven't a clue) to ask my professor if I could do research in their lab without any prior experience. They looked at me like I had a third eyeball and declined my request. After all, I wasn't the star pupil of her previous Genetics course and was struggling to maintain a B.... OK... a B-, but something struck me about that kind of lab work and I hoped over the next few weeks she would reconsider.
As I was walking down the hall one day before Christmas break 2008, I heard a voice call out to me down the hall. "Michelle" in a loud boisterous voice, "Why do you want to do research in my lab?" I couldn't believe she had even remembered my name, never mind that I wanted to do research. I tried to give my best answer within the one millionth of a second I had and replied "Because I think it's interesting". How much more of a generic answer could I have given?!! But her reply was priceless and cracks me up every time I think about it. "Well, I feel sorry for you, so come to our lab meeting next week and we'll get you a project". I couldn't believe it!! I was in!! Even if she did feel sorry for me.... and that is where everything really began.
Looking back, in reality, I had much more to offer than I even realized myself. She later told me how she had noticed how well I dealt with other people and that I had a knack for teaching others and to her this meant I would do well in her research group filled with many multiple personalities, all of which taught me many valuable life lessons down the road. After proving myself that semester, I went on to graduate with my BS in Biology as well as an MS in Molec Bio in her lab while continuing the research I had been introduced to. This was the most amazing door opening experience ever, and has allowed me to start a whole new chapter in my academic career.
Along this journey I discovered many things on my own as a Graduate student that I should have known as an Undergrad. I hope to share these very valuable insights to all future Scientists in the STEM fields who are unsure of where they are going, how they are getting there, and what are they going to do after they arrive.
That research course I had taken had grabbed me, spun me around, flipped me about and spit me out and I couldn't wait to do it all again... good 'ole Cell Culture lab. At the beginning of that course I couldn't believe all the neuronal activity going on in my brain. It was as if someone had turned on a light switch that I didn't even know existed that included unlimited amounts of fireworks. This stuff was amazing! How had I not known about this? How had I almost not taken this course? I became so intrigued that I built up the courage (from where I haven't a clue) to ask my professor if I could do research in their lab without any prior experience. They looked at me like I had a third eyeball and declined my request. After all, I wasn't the star pupil of her previous Genetics course and was struggling to maintain a B.... OK... a B-, but something struck me about that kind of lab work and I hoped over the next few weeks she would reconsider.
As I was walking down the hall one day before Christmas break 2008, I heard a voice call out to me down the hall. "Michelle" in a loud boisterous voice, "Why do you want to do research in my lab?" I couldn't believe she had even remembered my name, never mind that I wanted to do research. I tried to give my best answer within the one millionth of a second I had and replied "Because I think it's interesting". How much more of a generic answer could I have given?!! But her reply was priceless and cracks me up every time I think about it. "Well, I feel sorry for you, so come to our lab meeting next week and we'll get you a project". I couldn't believe it!! I was in!! Even if she did feel sorry for me.... and that is where everything really began.
Looking back, in reality, I had much more to offer than I even realized myself. She later told me how she had noticed how well I dealt with other people and that I had a knack for teaching others and to her this meant I would do well in her research group filled with many multiple personalities, all of which taught me many valuable life lessons down the road. After proving myself that semester, I went on to graduate with my BS in Biology as well as an MS in Molec Bio in her lab while continuing the research I had been introduced to. This was the most amazing door opening experience ever, and has allowed me to start a whole new chapter in my academic career.
Along this journey I discovered many things on my own as a Graduate student that I should have known as an Undergrad. I hope to share these very valuable insights to all future Scientists in the STEM fields who are unsure of where they are going, how they are getting there, and what are they going to do after they arrive.
Friday, July 15, 2011
UV Disco Light and an Ethanol Induced Haze
Gandhi knew what he was talking about when he uttered "You must be the change you wish to see in the world". Always one to see a glass half full, even I thought that task was too enormous of an undertaking. After all, Gandhi was telling me to get my shit in gear if I ever wanted to make any kind of difference, and who was I to tell him "No". I was afraid that if I ignored this bit of personal advice that was engraved upon a piece of stone wall art above my head, that Gandhi himself would knock it down and knock me out cold. So, here I am with many changes made, and many many more to go.
As a Scientist, where was I to start? After all, I wasn't even suppose to be a Scientist. According to my 10 year plan I'm suppose to be in a coroner's lab somewhere determining methods of death while finishing up my residency at the County Coroners Lab. How did I end up here? A Molecular Biologist pursuing a PhD? At NYU? What have I gotten myself into? Darn you you 3 credit research course that I needed to graduate. If I hadn't needed you, my 10 year plan would be on track. But instead, I opted for the life of a lab rat in the blink of an eye. You and your seducing white lab coat and disco blue UV light shining upon thine lab bench. That 3 credit course I needed to graduate is what started the downward...no.... upward spiral that has become my scientific life. Sound intriguing? In its own way, we (Science & I) have a love/ hate relationship. I love Science and some of its family members (Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biostats) hate me. But we manage to keep it together.
If I wanted to be a true Scientist, how was I to become one? Does having a degree make you one? I was left in a hungover haze from the overwhelming particles of Ethanol floating in the air while making like Cinderella in my lab. And this is where the journey began....
As a Scientist, where was I to start? After all, I wasn't even suppose to be a Scientist. According to my 10 year plan I'm suppose to be in a coroner's lab somewhere determining methods of death while finishing up my residency at the County Coroners Lab. How did I end up here? A Molecular Biologist pursuing a PhD? At NYU? What have I gotten myself into? Darn you you 3 credit research course that I needed to graduate. If I hadn't needed you, my 10 year plan would be on track. But instead, I opted for the life of a lab rat in the blink of an eye. You and your seducing white lab coat and disco blue UV light shining upon thine lab bench. That 3 credit course I needed to graduate is what started the downward...no.... upward spiral that has become my scientific life. Sound intriguing? In its own way, we (Science & I) have a love/ hate relationship. I love Science and some of its family members (Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biostats) hate me. But we manage to keep it together.
If I wanted to be a true Scientist, how was I to become one? Does having a degree make you one? I was left in a hungover haze from the overwhelming particles of Ethanol floating in the air while making like Cinderella in my lab. And this is where the journey began....
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