HEAL THE WORLD, MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE...
This week we were allowed to choose our own topics for our blogs, so I decided to dedicate this blog to a man who has been a great inspiration to me and the world, Michael Jackson. No, I haven't forgotten that Howard Hughes is a research program and as such these blogs should be scientifically related; I will get to that part in a few. I just thought we should all pay respects to a musical genius who broke down racial barriers, was involved in more charities than any other single entertainer (39), and who created the best selling album of all time. Michael Jackson was a living legend and icon, but most importanly he was a kind hearted man who wanted to use his talents and status to make a positive difference and help save the world.
So how does this relate to my research. Well, this week I began to identify what species of mouse lemurs some of my samples are. So far my samples have fallen into two species categories, but as the weeks progress I will be adding more samples. This may result in some samples belonging to a third species, but will also allow me to compare samples of the same species to one another to determine what area in the range these species are found do my samples come from. At first I was just excited that I had actually done something like this, but then I began to realize just what this all means. My work could potentially help others better understand life on Madagascar and just how importan it's ecosystem is. By assisting others in understanding how the diversity in this country has come about, I could possibly be helping to make an important scientific finding and a reason for people everywhere to understand the importance of conserving the animal and plant life that is constantly being destroyed.
So I've discussed what I've learned and realized this week, but what did I remember? I remembered that my most important goal is not to get into medical school or to become a pathologist, but that it is to know that when my time on Earth is over I know I would have touched just one person in a positive way and made a difference in their life. This is why my research and Michael Jackson are related. He showed us all how one man could impact the lives of millioins.
As I conclude, I would like to say thank you to the Howard Hughes Research Fellows for giving me this opportunity, thank you to the Jackson family for sharing such an amazing member of your family with the world, and thank you to Michael Jackson for the many memories we will have because you've touched us.
We love you and we will continue your mission to heal the world!
