Walking in the shadow of greatness

For my shadowing project, I chose to explore neuroscience research. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to meet with three professionals in the field at once: Dr. Gregory Cole, Dr. Ju-Ahng Lee, and Dr. Joong-Youn Shim. At a round table meeting, they offered their experiences and background information on neuroscience. Later, I received an overview of neuroscience from Dr. Lee and one-on-one mentoring from Dr. Shim.
One of the first facts I learned about neuroscience from all of them was the plethora of options this field could give me. I could perform research in neuroscience with a background in any science or math. Dr. Lee, for example, is a biologist, while Dr. Shim is skilled in computer science and math. If I pursued medical school, I could become a research neurologist or one in private practice. The research concentrations are nearly endless as well. My particular interest is behavioral neurology with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders; nevertheless, the doctors that I met were performing ground-breaking research in drug studies, Alzheimer’s disease, and the zebrafish nervous system.
Dr. Lee gave me a broad look at the basics of neurology. Neurons are cells in the nervous system that send electrical impulses to the brain and other places to control certain functions. These neurons form complete circuits through which electricity can flow. Using neuron circuits, the brain stem can control breathing and the spinal cord can control ambulatory movement. Whenever neuron systems are severed, the circuit ceases to function. Interestingly, artificially induced jolts of electricity within the body can reconnect these pathways. According to Dr. Lee, scientists have also found that the spinal neurons controlling walking can be activated using tactile stimulation. Neurology is indubitably a fascinating field.
Finally, I spent the rest of the time shadowing Dr. Shim in his computer lab. He performs computer modeling for proteins, based on their amino acid structures. There are thousands of different protein structures in the human body, and scientists are familiar with every sequence. What is more difficult, however, is determining how protein molecules fold together based on their internal and external forces. Dr. Shim uses the Protein Data Bank, a website displaying images and sequencing for all known protein structures. By studying the known, he has a better idea of unknown protein shapes. The modeling program he uses is called Visual Molecular Dynamics, or VMD. Proteins are drawn as 3D shapes based on the x, y, and z coordinates of every amino acid. The constructed simulation can then be moved and manipulated in order to study its function. Dr. Shim’s task is to study the marijuana receptors in the brain. Marijuana has the power to alter these proteins at certain sites; therefore, the goal is to discover where these drugs bind.
I am eternally grateful to the aforementioned scientists for allowing me a glimpse at neurology’s significance and wonders. I am encouraged by this shadowing to continue my plans for neuroscience research. Whether I become a neurologist or neuroscientist, however, is yet to be seen.

Blood Diamonds

On Thursday of last week, I watched a documentary in class about conflict diamonds in South Africa and the atrocities there. Personally, I have always felt disgrace and disgust for the monolithic diamond and gold chains adorning the necks of celebrities, especially rappers. I was sure that this video, by presenting new facts about the background of some of this excessive jewelry, would merely bolster my views. I was wrong, or rather, shortsighted. This program did not just lambast Hollywood players in the diamond rush, but anyone who is too blinded by the status and beauty of diamonds to investigate their sources. Diamonds aren't bad, but conflict diamonds are.

And what are conflict, or blood, diamonds? Well, the history of diamonds in South Africa gives us our first clue. In the 1860s, diamonds were discovered in South Africa and, like everything else in Africa, exploited by resident Europeans. Mine workers could descend 2 miles underground, although they could be injured or killed by heat and frequent mine collapses. They worked miles away from their families and lived in hostels, which were basically dilapidated slums. Loneliness led to prostitute soliciting. Needless to say, AIDS wiped out many hostels.

Then rebel soldiers decided to use diamonds to fund themselves during guerilla war. They invade hostels and villages housing workers' families. Rather than just contenting themselves with stealing diamonds, they amputate entire limbs of workers and their families. Yes, this includes women and children as young as two years old. The stolen diamonds are then sold to companies, which disperse them across the US.

As alarming as this is, there is some good news. De Beers, the leading diamond distributor in the world, has instituted the Kimberley Process, a system that tracks every diamond received to prevent the purchase of conflict diamonds. Many other jewelers have devised similar plans. A significant portion of these companies, however, are not so dependable.

The conclusion of this documentary was not to stop purchasing diamonds, but rather to be aware of their sources. Remember, diamonds may be "forever," but so are our souls.