Oct. 10, 2006 issue
During my post-doctorate appointment at the
University of Michigan, a friend called and told me of a position at EMU
advertised in the journal, Science. That changed my world. I applied,
was fortunate to capture an interview, and then the job here at EMU. While
I grew up a Bostonian, I've been transformed into a solid Midwesterner
(except for continual support of the Red Sox) and am a staunch advocate
for EMU.
At EMU, I've discovered the joy in helping students to develop and direct
their passion for biology...and how can one possibly not
be mesmerized and astonished by biology. We propose research
questions together, uncover new information and try to
make sense of it. What a treat! The culmination of these
efforts, showcased in the undergrauate and graduate research
symposia, are my favorite times of the academic year.
I celebrate our students for their curiosity, their creativity and their
unabashed energy. Each semester we experience a journey
together and by semester's end they feel like friends and colleagues.
My extraordinarily capable, good-natured colleagues including our departmental
secretaries and instrument technician, make it fun to come
to the office and lab each day. It's a symphonic effort in biology, and
these collaborations reveal a core commitment to students.
Finally, my biology colleagues and I regularly frequent the Rec/IM.
Here's a community of professors, staff and students in
shorts and sweaty t-shirts...and
this is where some of our best work is done.
