Animal Resource Center Field Trip Recap

Dear Random Person,

On Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 12:51pm I arrived at a location with many flags hanged on a corridor. The various flags pertain to various countries that I do not recall the name of. This location is more properly known as FXB Lobby located on 651 Huntington Avenue. On this day we were going to visit the Animal Resource Center.

At the Animal Resource Center we went on a tour lead by _____________. On this tour we learned about what the workers at the Animal Resource Center do with their animals, what the animal resource center is used for, what materials and resources the Animal center has, and what procedures must be taken to enter the facility. The main animals that we looked at were mice and rats. The rats were separated by their sex, mating and those that were being experimented on.

Before we enter the facility we had to undergo an interesting routine that every visitor that is entering the Animal Resource Center. From the FXB lobby we went down stairs and then ________ opened the door using her access card into the Animal Resource Center. After we all entered into the cramped space, she made sure the door behind her was tightly shut. The Animal Resource Center has air tight lock doors. Once inside the small room, she told us to put on these funky looking jump suits. I personally taught it looked very dumb, but hey those are the rules into getting to the Animal Resource Center. Plus, I later learned from __________ that the reason all visitors must wear this weird looking jump suit is to help protect the animals in the center against any outside infectious disease or life form that can be harmful to the animals inside the center. In addition, ________ told us that they ran out of jump suits in our size so we had to wear the X-Large suits. Seriously, they were design for very tall and big people because I felt like I was wearing my two bed sheets. The color of these jump suits were dark navy blue, and we also had to wear a head cap and what I thought look like the same head cap but for my feet. Once we looked like we were ready for Halloween we were allowed to enter the next room. "Gasp"...to our surprise there was something else we had to accomplish before seeing the furry little creatures. We had to take a shower. I honestly taught in my head, seriously? Am I going to need to take my clothes off? I really don't want to do that. Luckily, ___________ then mentions that we have to take an "air shower". I was glad to hear that, yet questionable about what exactly that was? Every individual had to step into a chamber individually so he and she can take the air shower. Once both doors of the chamber were locked, air began to blow at your face and all around you, while wearing the funny looking costume. It's like a Jacuzzi without the water. It had the same type of air sockets to blow air towards you.

Finally, we are inside the furry creature’s lair. So exciting! That's until you take a good sniff of the room and your face turns to an angry pit bull's face. Actually I forgot to mention, that smell was notable since you enter the small little room where we put on the jump suits. Ok, so now that we were inside. The first thing I saw many yellow and dirty looking cages. We were escorted by __________ into the mice room. There we saw a huge collection of mice. Each cage had a certain owner and special trait. Each card had a different colored card that stood for something about the mice or rats in the cage. Any cards with three letter symbol STAMPED on the card meant that the mice or rat was going to be let to rest because he or she was not needed for the study anymore.

Rats are smarter than mice and dogs, according big cool guy name ____________. He showed us the rat room, they were place on stands just like the mice, and each rat was in a cage. Most of these cages had two or more mice or rats. The rats were big and ALBINO. They use albino rats for studies, because I think he mention that they live longer. However, I do remember that he said albino rats tend to obtain cancer tumors more than non albino rats. So scientists study these cancer tumors using different drugs on the rats. I learned from the cool guy named __________ that the rats that are more excited and come close to you to smell you are the rats that have not experienced many injections or experimentation. However, the rats that are just sitting away from you and don't move around too much are the rats who get poked around a lot.

Rats and mice are used for experimentation because they are not expensive to keep alive, and they reproduce very rapidly. I forgot the exact number but it takes about every 18 or 24 days I think he said, for mother rats or mice to give birth again. The mother rat or mouse can get pregnant while giving birth.

The experiment that the workers at the Animal Resource Center do with the rats is figuring out what diseases the rats carry and what can be used to cure the diseases. This is useful for humans. The sad part is when the rats have to die.

We were also demonstrated there MORG room? Well I think it was a morg room for mice and rats? It was the room where they do surgery on the rats and mice. They place anesthesia on the rat or mouse and use a microscope to do the surgery more carefully and accurately because you are handling such a small delicate creature.

_________ also mention to us some biological genotype references to how they place the rats and mice into certain cages and how they experimentation on them. However, I'm sorry because I haven't taken Biology since freshman year and don't recall much about what she was saying, but it sounded cool.

Danaisha: The trip was ok but not really something that I was interested in because I am not a big fan of rats and mice; they are DISGUSTING little creatures. Another cool part was wear the funny looking scrubs and we had to take an air bath that was really cool.

Roger: I found the trip to be interesting. Personally I find everything new interesting. However, there are things I liked and disliked about the trip. I like how I learned many facts about what the Animal Resource Center does and what it is used for. Yet, I find it cruel and sad how they are scientist out there that experiment on defenseless living creatures, such as mice and rats. I'm sure they would not like to be poked around and giving injections just to know how a certain drug will work. Don't get me wrong, I like learning new things and I like science. However, if it results in bringing the death to a living thing I find that corrupt and wrong. Knowledge is great, but greed for knowledge is destruction.

Sincerely,
Roger and Danaisha

It's all about Chris and Tracy

The Chris and Tracy Show :)

Interviewer: Midley
Interviewees: Chris and Tracy

Me: What made you choose this career?
Tracy: I choose science because I like the natural world. I grew up in Florida so I wanted to snorkel and scuba dive. I said I'm going to be a marine biologist and it's going to be the most awesomist thing in the world and study sponges! My father grew up in the 50's and 60's when all the kids wanted to be a marine biologist so he thought that was a really bad idea. So I said okay I'll look for something else and because at the time I was working in a lab after college, and I found this job in viruses and I thought it was cool. Then I started moving into molecular biology, and now I'm here.
Chris: In high school I did rescue squad and decided then I wanted to be a doctor, went to college and took a lot of science classes, and then started working in a lab. Then the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't want to be a doctor. I wanted to help people and doctors don't really help, and it seemed very slipper to get into the medical system and not as rewarding I would like it to be. I really liked science so I went to get my PhD and that is why I am here.

Me: What was your favorite subject growing up? (Science for both)
Tracy: I love solving puzzles and I like asking questions and being able to find the answer.
Chris: However, it is a boring subject when you are just being told what you should be studying, like in high school. But I it like when I get to solve my own problems. That's our job everyday, come in, create a problem and solve it.

Me: What is a big dream that you fear you will never be able to furfill?
Chris: I don't know.
Tracy (shocked): You're furfill?!
Chris (casually): Yeah, I think so. If I were to die today, I wouldn't have any regrets.
Tracy (nods): That's good.
Chris: What are your big dreams?
Tracy: I would like to open a bakery, where I supply my own meat, a farm, and learn how to play the chello!
Chris: I guess I would like to play the piano more, but that's not something I'm worried about not furfilling. But I think I want to learn how to play the piano.
Tracy: How long have you wanted to play the piano?
Chris: A couple of years, four, five. I took a class in college, it was alright.
Tracy: Yeah.
Chris: I'm planing on buying a keyboard to hook up to my computer cause Apple has a program where you can have someone like Alicia Keys teach you how to play the piano!
Tracy: That is too cool!
Chris: Yeah, very cool.
Tracy: I wonder if they have a chello option.
Chris: They may. You have to be able to plug it in though.
Tracy (confidently): They have electric chellos!
-hahaha, they are too cool! :)-

Me: What is your favorite meal?
Chris: I kinda like them all, that's hard!
Me: Tracy like vegetables!
Tracy: My husband makes this ..... soup, it's packed with tofu....(and other stuff)...and I think it is the best thing ever since sliced bread!
Chris: I like food! I'm very agreeable. I like it in large greesy quantities.

Me: What is your favorite color?
Chris: Blue.
Me: Why, do you wear it like everyday? (the whole time I've been in the lab, I've only seen Chris wear blue everyday besides like four days!)
Chris: I own a lot of blue.
Tracy: I can't answer that, I have no idea.
Me: How come you never wear bright colors? (Chris was laughing at me, I wasn't being mean!) Tracy: I don't know, I just never have.
Chris: That is an observation people have about Tracy. She is very into her grays, blacks and browns.
Tracy: My house is really colorful though, we have a lot of bold bright colors! Hot pink, orange, red, yellow...
Me: Is it just to work you don't wear bright colors?
Tracy: I just don't decorate myself with bright colors. I think it's like an attention thing, I like to just blend in the background, that's how I roll.

Me: What is your favorite season? Why?
Me: Tracy I want you to answer this first. (That morning we had a talk about this question.)
Tracy: That is not a real question!
Me: Yes it is, look, number 6!
Tracy: Oh man, okay well, don't tell my husband but my favorite season is fall. It's fall because I love the weather, it's perfect. The evenings are cool enough that you can wear a jacket and feel a nice breeze. Oh and the trees, I love the bright bright orange trees, those are my favorite. And the holidays are coming! It's a nice kick off! Bam Bam Bam :)
Chris: I like spring into early summer. I like watching the plants come back alive and I find winter to be horrible, that's probably the worst time of the year..
Me (sadly): Hey, I was born during the winter!
Chris: Oh yeah, me too. But, it's a miserable season! It's cold, soggy, not attractive and depressing! The days are very short, which I don't enjoy, and I love spring because it is the total opposite. The days starts getting longer and it lets me know how great summer is going to be, since winter was so horrible. Spring is where it's at!
Tracy: Wait, you will never know how great summer is unless you have winter.
Chris: Then I'll love it all the time than! I would love spring, summer and fall!
Me: At least he included fall.
Tracy: Yeah, that's true.
Chris: I like fall, it's just not my favorite.
Tracy: That's fine.
Chris: But it's sad since fall reminds you that everything is about to die and leave you.
Tracy (shakes her head): But there's the excitement for snow.
Me: Not the cleaning part.
Chris: I'm fine with like two snows, but after that it's like this was great but now what?

Me: On your day off, what do you like to do?
Tracy: You can go first, my answer sucks. (haha smh)
Chris: I like to sleep in, read books, definitely not a science book, go for a nice run, go to a park and take pictures, eat a nice meal and go out with my friends at night.
Tracy: I just hang out with my son. aww :) And my husband, but he's usually taking a break from my son since he has him all day.

Me: Any advie for me?
-awkward silence-
Chris (jokingly): What's the saying, age comes wisdom?
Chris: A couple things, never worry about what people think of you, or what people think you should be. Always know who you are and follow that. Also enjoy discovoring what that means. And in life don't work for money or for others, work for yourself and happiness!
Tracy: Find what you love in life and make that your career. Don't worry about money, it will come.


Thank you guys! :)
Those two are awesome! They always help me whenever I need help and they have made my summer worth remembering. Everyday we have the most randomist conversations, but they are so happy and live that you can tell they really enjoy what they do. I really appreciate that I meant them and is thankful for all the advice and conversations I have had with them about my future. I really hope I can come back this December and spend two weeks with them for another internship! :)

Field Trip to Harvard Cambridge Campus

On Tuesday August 3rd, we went to the Harvard Cambridge Campus, the college known as the best college in the world, and of course, our faces were glowing with excitement.

First, we went into the Agassiz building and met two lovely and friendly harvard students, who told a lot of information about the university and led us into the campus. We learned some interesting facts about Harvard: First, John Harvard is actually not the founder of the university, but just a benefactor. Second, long time ago the library caught a fire and most of the priceless books and paintings were destroyed. Third, the Statue and John Harvard actually does not look like John Harvard because the person who was the model for his statue was not him (nobody knew how John Harvard looked like). It was very interesting to hear about these fun facts, standing in the middle of the campus.

Second, we went to the Science Center, which was constructed in an awesome stair-like structure. We got into the building and tried to sneak inside the one of the lecture halls. However, we had to get out because a guy (maybe a professor) kicked us out, saying "no tourists allowed in here." Also, there was a seven meters long calculator, which looked pretty cool but also scary at the same time.

After lunch, we went to Harvard Museum, which was located near the Science Center. It had almost everything inside from small organisms like insects to huge mammals like whales. In one of the rooms there was a box that contained about 150 insects in different categories such as predator and herbivores. The interesting thing about this bug box was that all the herbivores were really big, while the many of the predators were really small like a mice pooh. When I was observing this box, I was able to sense that it was trying to give me a lesson of life: Do not underestimate or ignore the deadliness of small ones.

The Harvard University tour was very pleasant and memorable. Even though most of us hang out and walk around the Harvard Square and heard a lot about the university, there were so many things that we did not know and that were fascinating to learn. Some of Harvard-haters among us actually began to like Harvard after the tour. It will be interesting to see if some of us will be able to conquer the Harvard College. Going to the best college in the world is not the most important thing in our lives, but I want to believe that there is a reason why we, the RAP interns, are accepted to this extraordinary program and having these invaluable experiences in our different workplaces.

My Interview of Eloisa Jardines

1) What made you choose this career?
I like to take care of patients and I like to prevent and cure diseases. In the environment I work in I am exposed to helping the health of children and mothers.

2) What was your favorite subject growing up? Why?
My favorite subject growing up was math because it was easy to grasp and also very easy to understand.

3) What is a big dream that you have that you fear you will not be able to fulfill?
I have many dreams. The one big dream that I have is to become a nurse, but I do not fear that it will not be fulfill. It will just take time, because I have a family and kids. I was a medical doctor back in my country for three years in Cuba. I plan to keep working and taking classes to become a nurse or something similar to a nurse here in the United States.

4) What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is called "Congris" back in Cuba "Congris" is basically a rice dish that contains rice, beans, vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, onions, and chicken or steak. I also really enjoy ice cream, cake, "tostones" which are fried plantains and pork.

5) What is your favorite season? Why?
My favorite season is definitely summer because I can go to beach, the weather is not cold, and I can wear light clothing.

6) On your day off, what do you like to do?
On a day off I like to go to the beach, eat my favorite foods, drink beverages with C₂H₅OH, swim in the beach, and breath the fresh ocean air.

7) Do you have any advice for me?
Always keep on studying because school is very important. There are many obstacles in life, but do not fear these obstacles. You must be persistent and overcome these obstacles. Always remember to do the right thing and do what is best.

Work update

Hey everyone,

For the past couple of weeks i have been doing a lot of filing and mailing. Yea not so exciting huh? It's because this lab is based on more paper work then actually doing experiments and so on. I enjoy being around everyone in my lab, they are all very kind. When ever i need help they are always there to help me with anything that i need help. My office area is very quite though, its very relaxing because sometimes it can get to relaxing because i get really sleepy sometimes. The following week coming up Taylor and I will be going to the blood lab where we will gain more experience and be a little bit more active working in a lab. I am really looking forward to working in the lab seems kind of interesting according to what i have been told about it. Two more weeks left guys!!!!! Time can really fly, I just want to say that i enjoyed my time with with everyone...Taylor, Midley, Ximora you guys are hilarious and you guys are cool to be around..I did not forget about the boys lol I enjoy my time with you guys too!!

Field Trip to Children's Hospital - Pathology Department

On Friday, we took a field trip to Children’s Hospital, Boston (more specifically, we were given a tour of the Pathology Department and the Orthopedics Lab). I was very excited about the trip, because it was our first field trip together as a group and I was looking forward to learning some new and interesting information.

First, we headed to the Pathology Department of Children’s. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos in the Pathology Department, mainly because any and all patient information is confidential and is it very important to respect the privacy of patients. Before beginning the tour with John Baci, a pathologist at Children’s, we met in a nearby conference room, where we briefed him on what we are doing at RAP, and in return, he briefed us on what his job entails as a pathologist. Pathology is the branch of medical science that studies the causes and nature and effects of diseases. In the pathology department, all the patients that come through, sadly, are already passed away. The job of the people in this department is to quickly figure out the cause of the patient’s death through medical procedures such as autopsies.

Mr. Baci showed us the cutting room first, which I found very intriguing. In this room, they make what are called pathology reports - reports that have been ordered by authorized healthcare professionals describing what has been found in the tissues removed from a patient's body. Mr. Baci told us that if the surgeons know that just one part of the child’s body (a leg, for example) is what was making them sick, they will remove the entire leg and take samples from it. Samples are taken from all different organs and parts of the body - the liver, the tonsils, even from the eyeball! The workers in the cutting room take as many samples as they need in order to diagnose the child’s cause of death.

The samples removed in the cutting room are then brought to histologists, who create slides and blocks from the samples. A histologist is an anatomist who specializes in the microscopic study of animal (and/or human) tissues. The sample is placed into a small plastic dish, called a cassette, the cassette is placed into a mold, and then hot paraffin wax is poured into the wax to preserve the sample. Once it is dry, you have what is called a block. Once the block is dry, pathologists and other authorized healthcare professionals can look at and handle them without wearing gloves! Mr. Baci said that this issue an ongoing battle in the healthcare world, but because the samples are covered with the wax, one’s hands never touch the actual sample. It was interesting to watch the slides being made as well. The wax blocks are used to make the slides, and a histologist cuts slices thinner than a piece of paper off the wax blocks, puts them in a water bath for a few seconds, and then puts them on the glass slide. The slides are then put in dyes of various colors so that they can be better seen. Each patient’s blocks/slide are given an ID number that they are identified by that is written on each one. In the department I am working in at HSPH, I am actually working with these same exact blocks and slides, so I was excited to be able to have some more in-depth information on how they were made.

Finally, we visited the morgue of the pathology department. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be! One particular thing that stuck with me from visiting the morgue was the new machine that is able to detect when an infant has unfortunately died from shaken baby syndrome. The name of the machine escapes me right now, but I just found that one piece of technology to be quite impressing. I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Children Hospital, because I was refreshed on some information I already knew, and I was able to learn some new information as well!