BRAINS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love brains. Not in that zombie way, either. I just find it fascinating that an organ can be responsible for my thoughts, character quirks, and everything else that makes me, me. I've always been fascinated by the brain, for as long as I can remember. Then, when I was in high school, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and my love affair with the cortex became serious.

I am currently studying at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, which is a long ways away from my home in Michigan. I have decided to focus on medicine, specifically pharmacology as I want to help others like me who suffer from diseases of the brain. I spent a year investigating the protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease and also found that enthralling. I have not decided exactly I want to study in the future, but I do know for sure that it will involve my favorite organ, and that I would like to earn my Ph.D and work in academia.

The smell of the ocean

As far as I can remember, I grew up smelling the scent of the ocean. My dad is a fishmonger, and I have always love the smell of the combination of salt, fish and ocean when he comes back from the fish market early each morning.

So why didn't I start studying marine science when I was young? Marine science wasn't a very serious topic when I was growing up, neither would a degree in Marine science bring any work prospects. Thus, taking advise from my parents, and they not wanting me ending up like my dad being a fishmonger, I became an International Business major graduate. However, upon graduating, to my parents' dismay, I joined the film productions industry... becoming a film director in New York eventually.

However, I could never forget the smell of the ocean. Now, I use my knowledge in film to document and enhance my research. At the moment, I am researching on hydrodynamics around coral colonies, hoping the results will shed some light in the mechanism and resilience of coral diseases. This research incorporates knowledge in biology, fluid physics and statistics. My goal in this research is to quantify the flow velocity around the coral colonies and relate the flow to the resilience of corals against diseases. In the midst of researching, conducting experiments and writing, I am teaching in biology labs as well. I love to see the students' face light up when they understand some difficult concepts. In the lab, I am funny, sarcastic but I make sure the students learn. I love teaching.

New beginning for the blog!

Hannah and I are talking about adding our adventures in this blog as well. The reason is that not only do Jet and Kaly not possess an off switch, we too have no time to turn off (and relax)! As always, we will try to put up only interesting events and not try to bore you with too much daily trivial items.

There is no better start than to congratulate Hannah for surviving her class - MEDSCI 306 : Principles of Toxicology. She got the award for the "Best Bribe" because she baked cookies for the teachers during her poster presentation! :P This is the last week of the semester, and things are getting tougher with numerous deadlines, tests and projects... and with the exams around the corner, Hannah has been having late nights. Hang on there, Hannah...