Introduction to a Future Disease Hunter

If you could not tell from the title of the introduction, I am a microbiology student here at OU with an aspiration to one day track down diseases with the hopes of eventually eradicating them through educating the public on how to prevent its spread and to implement strategies that can slow the rate of infection or stop it all together. I've had this dream for the longest time. During my last few years in Japan, SARS a serious respiratory infection caused by an virus usually resulting in death became a major health concern in China, my neighbor across the sea. It was during this time that I first learned the concept of disease, bacteria, viruses, etc. I remember vividly the frenzy that this disease engendered in China and I had a great seat that was thankfully just outside of the splash zone of infection. As a result, I chose this degree since it was the logical step to achieving my goals.

Fortunate for me, this summer I was able to get an internship at the University of Georgia where I was able to study a disease that is currently plaguing areas in central Africa. The Guinea Worm Disease caused by Dracunculus medinensis has the potential to be the second disease to be eradicated after smallpox! The research that I was participating on was very exciting and applicable to what I want to do with my future. Contrary to what I am used to with microbiology, i.e. being in an air conditioned lab 24/7, I did a lot of field work this summer and got to experience a lot of new things like learning how to shoot a gun, drinking some homemade Georgia moonshine, and how to handle wildlife, just to name a few (they may be in order of how excited I was at the moment of the experience). All around it was a very unorthodox internship and exciting summer.

Here is an image I took of a female green anole on a yarrow paprika plant.
It took me about 30 minutes of waiting to get this picture.

A lot of my hobbies actually include the outdoors. I consider myself an amateur photographer and the way I like to pass the time is to go on walks with my dog, Scout. I have been known to disappear from time to time to just go hiking and camping for a weekend by myself just to unwind from the stresses of school and life in general. Despite my escapist and introvert tendencies, I also really enjoy throwing myself into situations that require a high amount energy, in other words, I'm an adrenaline junkie. I enjoy grinding hills on my longboard, rock climbing, herping (catching reptiles and amphibians) and attending music events whether they be concerts or a full scale music festival.

My tastes in music are as eclectic as my personality. I have deep passion for folk: Fleet Foxes and Phosphorescent are perhaps some of my favorites. But I also enjoy the darker and more dramatic lyrics from artists like The Neighborhood or the less known experimental artists like Allan Rayman.

Phosphorescent's third album titled "Pride" is currently my
favorite to listen to after a long and stressful day.
Cocaine Lights is one of my favorite songs
by him (link is to an audio recording of the song)

While not their best collection of songs, Wiped Out! by The Neighbourhood
Has a few hidden gems, like my personal favorite, The Beach.
(link is to an audio recording of the song)

"Graceland" by Allan Rayman