Hi Van! I really appreciate how you described the classics bias, because bias is certainly something to consider and anticipate no matter the field of study. With that said, I can see how the classics and classical schools of thought have played an outsized role in the founding of our nation and its principles.

Additionally, thank you for sharing that piece about Cicero! After having read many of his speeches, I am always newly impressed by his deep political interest and passion for prose. Lastly, I think your approach to criticism will serve you well, and I too hope to grow as a leader within. Best of luck with the conclusion of your project!

Hi Rinaz, great post! I really like the emphasis on upstream, early-intervention approaches to Alzheimers research (and ultimately, treatment).  My own lab focuses on post transcriptional gene regulation, so reading about your RNAscope approach to dissecting transcription vs. translation with Kir2.1 silencing was especially insightful. I'm very curious to see how the mRNA levels vary if at all from cell to cell. Best of luck with the rest of your project, and the overarching work that I have no doubt you will take far beyond this summer.  Looking forward to reading that paper one day!

Hi Lydia! I completely agree with your point about motivations in a team. An important part of leadership is being able to recognize the motivations and goals of each member in a group, and helping to guide them in the direction that best suits those needs. Having a reminder of those goals can be really helpful in the face of adversity. Also, I'd like to echo your model for budding leaders. Finding ways to step things up, either by being open to more responsibility or by being part of structured conversations can allow for meaningful contribution and leadership without the title. It is definitely an opportunity for learning and growth, reminding us that leadership is not a static title but a dynamic behavior that can be developed.  

Hi Eric! I find your modeling of corruption in terms of a laffer curve to be very interesting and surprising! I confess I cannot think of many instances where corruption is broadly productive, but perhaps I should rethink the classic binary productive/counterproductive perception in light of your spectrum approach. Also, definitely agree with the importance of keeping track of ideas. It seems like keeping organized tabs is the way to go. Looks like a nice evening at the park, best of luck as you continue your research!

Hi Phoebe! I completely agree with your point about having the opportunity for a sustained, self-driven lab experience. I find myself in a similar situation this summer, and it feels much different from lab work done during the school year. I can also totally relate to the technical jargon, as sometimes I feel like I have to look up every other word. But I suppose that's part of the process, and I'm excited to see how your social memory project develops! 

As an aside, that pizza looks delicious!