Schooling and such

As promised, here's an update on my school stuffs.  This might be a bit boring for those readers who aren't so interested in the gory details of a combined degree program, so consider yourself warned.  We'll return to our normal furry broadcast next post.

Right now (and for the rest of the PhD, the next three years) I've essentially got two things going on: 1) lab  2) classes.  This being my first year, I'm working mostly on familiarizing myself with my new field in the lab while trying to knock out my required course work.  Once I've got a project up and running, the course work will be pretty much done for me (by middle of 2nd year), and "classes" will begin to refer to classes that I will TA (hopefully!).  That's the basic over-view.  What does that mean I'm actually doing right now?

Reading.  Sh*t-tons of reading.

This is because my previous experience/knowledge was pretty much all to do with cancer cell signaling.  Now I'm in an immunology lab.  I did take a big-honking immunology class as part of my master's degree at UVa....but that was two years ago and I've used about 1% of what I learned.  As I've mentioned before, my brain operates on use-it-or-loose-it for most things, thus I'm re-learning immunology.  One stinking review article at a time.  It was interesting the first three weeks, but that's about all the tolerance I've got for just sitting and reading scientific articles.  Plus my desk and chair in lab are built for someone about 5'4"... I'm all scrunched up by the end of the day.  I've been trying to mix it up by reading at home, Starbucks, exploring libraries, but eventually I just want to freakin' pipette something!!

Honestly, I could be reading something fun like Hemingway or Kipling and I'd be sick of it after three weeks of nothing else.

But I have had a goal during all the reading: to come up with possible PhD project ideas, or more scientifically, hypotheses.  My mentor is all about encouraging me to be independent, and with my level of previous training (I know that sounds snotty) I should be.  I'd rather be testing my skills of developing a project NOW when I've got a mentor to guide me (i.e. tell me that my rationale is completely flawed) rather than later when my career/funding depends on it. So I came up with a few ideas, and my mentor chose one he thought was the most promising for further development.  But I also need a "backup" project, basically in case one of them tanks either b/c my hypothesis was totally wrong or because I run into insurmountable technical difficulties.  And I should also have a project tied to what's going on in the lab, which the first idea didn't so much.  So back to reading and familiarizing myself now with neutrophils and microRNAs. That's where project stuff stands.

In the midst of working on this stuff, my mentor asked me to help write a review!  Actually the other grad student is really writing, and I'm assisting.  (The lab consists of me, other grad, technician and a senior post-doc who is actually research faculty, and of course my mentor the PI).  It's both a crap-ton more reading and writing, but also a really good way to learn.

As for classes, they started Aug 22nd, and the first week was luckily all intro/syllabus stuff.  I say luckily because I managed to come down with my first cold the Thursday before.  That cold dragged on and on, but I thought I was getting better till just this past Thursday when my throat flared up again - now I've got swollen lymphnodes the size of strawberries.  I'm blaming it all on the germy little undergrads running around.  Poo on them!

Back to classes.  So I'm taking Vet immunology (for review primarily), Intro to Systems Biology (how to model cells/biochemical reactions with a computer), two seminars, one of which I have to present in, and a grant writing class.  The grant writing class is specifically designed to have you end up with a complete grant (6 page, K08 style) by the end of the semester, which is good for me because I'm planning on actually applying for both an NSF graduate fellowship as well as an F31 NRSA fellowship through NIH.  It's mostly for the scientific glory, but the NSF would land me substantially more stipend money and I'm also required to have a "grant writing experience" as part of my PhD program, and by taking the class I'm getting credit for the writing time.  Killing three birds with one stone!!

The work load is going to keep me pretty busy this semester, but it hasn't hit quite yet.  It really won't hit until the Vet immunology starts.  That class is with all the DVM students (and it will count towards my DVM) and the schedule is completely nuts: it meets on different days and different times every week.  Doesn't start till the end of Sept but then ends in November, with the final exam during finals week in Dec....it's going to be fast and intense, with only two exams and the final on which to base my grade.  Fun stuff!  Systems bio is going to be really interesting, but it also has exams and two projects so it's not exactly a light work-load.  I don't see myself getting a ton of experiments done in lab with all the class work, but I'm hoping to at least get preliminary data for my personal project proposal.  If I can complete all my classes in very good standing, get the fellowships submitted (with prelim data) and have my projects clearly outlined and experiments at least planned, it will be a successful semester....at least in my opinion!  I should check on that with my mentor ;-)

Meanwhile, for the program I have to "identify" (i.e. beg professors to be in) my committee.  I will meet with these guys once a semester to go over my work and plans, and they will ultimately decide when/if I get to graduate.  I have to pick profs from within my dept and without.  I also have to come up with a "plan of study" which basically outlines all the courses I plan on taking.  The plan isn't binding and can be modified, but they want to see that I've made sure to complete all the requirements for the program.  I'm lucky b/c a bunch of my master's classes can be transferred in and will cover some of the requirements.  That means fewer classes total for me, but I'll also have time/room in my schedule to complete something called the "Future Professoriate Certificate" through the graduate school.  It's basically a program that trains individuals to teach at a collegiate level, regardless of subject.  I'll have to take 6 extra credits, but since being a professor is what I'd like to do, it's worth it!

Well, thinking about all the stuff I've got to do makes me think I should get off blogger and work on some of it :-)  Being sick for the last 15 days has put me behind a bit....I've been trying to lay low but I don't know why my body is being so wimpy.  I actually went to Student Health on Friday - strep test and mono test were negative, and my white blood cells weren't elevated, but the doc was concerned about the swollen nodes (I mean, even hubby could see them clearly on my neck).  So I'm stuck taking ibuprofen, vit C and Zinc, and trying to sleep as much a possible.  Which isn't hard b/c I'm pretty pooped.  This is NOT the way I wanted to start the semester.....or spend my 31st birthday, which was this past Wed.  That was before my neck exploded, so hubs and I did celebrate by seeing the movie "Buck" and having a dinner out.  He surprised me with a Nook eReader, which I was considering returning b/c of the cost...but then I downloaded some books...and....well....now it's covered in fingerprints and I can't possibly return it!!  Actually, what's cool is that it's color and I can download pdfs of science papers and read them anywhere with all the figures in color!  Saving paper is a good thing, right?!?  This might seem ironic since we just went and got our local library cards, but get this: our library lends eBooks too!!! (can't remember if I mentioned that previously)  How cool is that??

It's pretty cool, I think.  So off to do some reading.....

'Nother weekend, 'nother update - school

Hello!

So I've received a bit of feedback about posting....as in, post more often!  Well, I do have a very good excuse for not posting this past week - I had a physics exam on Thursday.  I probably should have thrown a heads up on the blog that I'd be MIA while I tried to cram, and in the future I will.  So have no fear, I'm alive, hubby is alive, and creatures are all OK.  My brain just hurts from the past week!  Also, I’ve got enough stuff to update on that I think I’ll make it multiple posts….so patience!!   

First, an update on school stuffs.  

I did get a rejection email from UC Davis as expected, so it makes going to Tech completely official!  Hubby and I will now officially begin the process of transition to Blacksburg.  I've had a few folks ask about how we're handling things, so here's the gist.  The DVM/PhD program is a minimum 7 years, and could easily be 8.  Seeing as Tech is in Blacksburg VA, which is over 2hrs away from Crozet, we will both be moving to Blacksburg and H. will find a new job.  It helps that he works in research, so going to a town with a large university means good job opportunities for him, relatively speaking.  Ideally, he wants to move into an environmental science lab (fresh water management particularly), but push comes to shove he can stay in his current field (microbiology).

Obviously this means we need new housing!  I love living in the country and having Dax at home, but I also recognize that for 7 yrs my priority is going to be my education.  Also, the dear H. HATES long commutes....as in would probably donate a kidney before he'd pick living with a long, traffic filled commute.  Anyway, the point is we're planning on finding a place "in town" so that we can bike to our respective jobs/classes.  I'll admit, he's converted me to the bike-commute.  If you've got the right bike and layers, it's wonderful!  Not having to worry about unexpected traffic or parking is a major factor, but of course the exercise, lack of pollution AND saving a bunch of money on gas and vehicle wear means it's a no brainer.  Yes, there is the risk factor of riding in traffic, but both H and I are extremely careful  - all safety equipment, obeying traffic rules, the whole 9 yards.  I realize this is no guarantee of safety, but I do believe risk can be minimized and the positives of bike commuting outweigh those risks.  So that means we're specifically looking for places with bike-friendly routes to the university.

When I say looking for places I mean we're primarily looking for rentals at this point.  We're still debating the buying vs renting thing.  The length of time we're likely going to be in Blacksburg means buying *might* make sense, but it's not like we know we'll be there for 15 or 30 years so....ugh!  Another tough decision.  I think we're going to talk to a realtor and probably a mortgage specialist about what makes sense - maybe rent for a year then buy?  The more cautious of my readers might say just rent and not worry about the responsibility of owning a house.  BUT have any of you had to find rentals with good landlords, that aren’t dumps, are reasonably priced AND allow two dogs and two cats?!?!?  I can tell you, they aren’t a dime a dozen.  I’ve been pretty lucky in the rental department and I realize it….I don’t like the idea of having crappy landlords that won’t get things fixed when they break and raise the rent with little warning.  It’s also frustrating to be gouged with extra pet fees because some idiots won’t give their pets flea control or prevent them from chewing on walls (our creatures get flea/tick preventative and don’t chew…..structural stuff at least).  Annnnyway, it’s clear I have NO IDEA what we’re going to do yet.  Happily, hubby is spear-heading this front since I’m so tied down with physics and getting the school stuff figured out.

Speaking of school stuff, I’m currently getting going on all of the fun paperwork and other crap starting a program like this entails.  I’ve got to contact everyone in every department to let them know I will be attending.  I need to find out exactly what I’ve got to do about the DVM acceptance since I’ll actually be completing two years of the PhD first.  I have to complete a graduate school (PhD) application as a formality, but that includes sending more transcripts AND recommendation letters…oh yea, and I also need to find a PhD mentor ASAP.  Minor details, you know.

Ok, so I realize this might make much more sense if I explain how this whole program is going to work.  Here’s an outline for those of you I haven’t filled in:

-       First two years PhD – classes, research in lab, must pass qualifying exam/thesis proposal (Summer 2011 thru Aug 2013)

-       Four years DVM, classes first 3yrs, clinical rotations 4^th year, do research for thesis during summer breaks, pass board exams  (Aug 2013 thru May 2017)

-       Complete PhD work, write and defend thesis (May 2017 thru May 2018-ish)

Wow.  2018.  Somehow I managed to sum up 7 years of busting my a$$ in three sentences, more or less.  Makes it sound easy, eh? 

Back to my point – the way they run their PhD program is that I have to contact professors who have labs and do research that I’m interested in.  I’ll meet with some to go over details of their work and get a feeling for compatibility; kind of like another interview.  Yipee.  But first I’ve got to review publication records and send out a bunch of emails to faculty – just because I’m interested in their work doesn’t mean they have space or money for a grad student (or will like me for that matter).  I will ultimately find SOMEONE who will take me J then I’ll figure out precisely when I’ll start this summer.  It could be as early as May 23^rd, but I’m hoping more like in June for sanity’s sake!  I mean, my physics class final is May 12^th – I don’t want to be packing and studying at the same time if I can help it!  More on the physics struggle later :-P 

In other news, the weather around here has been crazy.  We’ve had a really cold winter until just recently.  Yesterday was 75*!!!  Unfortunately is also been super dry.  That combination was mixed with high winds today and made for some disastrous wildfires.  There was a big fire not far from our house in Ivy and apparently there was another even closer on Brown’s Gap Turnpike.  Anyway, H. got some pics of the Ivy fire from the end of our driveway – I’d be way more concerned if the prevailing wind wasn’t driving the fire directly away from us.  Other fires in Louisa county to the east has caused evacuations and burned homes.  I know this is nothing compared to what So. California deals with, but then again this isn’t dry desert area.   

I know fire is a natural and important part of forest regeneration, but it's hard to watch.  

MAIL CALL!!!

I GOT ACCEPTED TO THE DVM/PHD PROGRAM!!!!

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*pant*pant*pant*

It's official, and the whole trajectory of my life changes.  I know it was likely after I got into the DVM program, but still.....you never know until you've got it on paper, and now I've got it on paper :-)

Tonight, hubby and I are celebrating at Duner's and I'm just going to revel in it.  Tomorrow I'll think about the fact that I'm celebrating getting to work my a$$ off for the next 7-8 yrs.  Celebrating getting to take many more extremely hard classes, board exams, qualifying exams and thesises.....oh, I have so much to look forward to!

No updates at the moment

So after announcing to lots of people (or at least my sister and Judi :-) that I would hear from Tech today, of course I didn't.  Actually, I did get an email around 8pm stating that there had been a scoring issue which had delayed sending out the offers until tomorrow around 5pm.  The email did apologize for any stress which was caused.

I appreciated that because I WAS FREAKING STRESSED!!!  Seriously, I checked my email spastically as often as I could all day.  Trying to focus in physics class on electrical potential and U = EA was really challenging.  C'mon, a single email is going to dictate whether or not a major move happens in about 7months, not to mention my career path for the rest of my life!!!

So as much psychic crap as I'm piling up on this decision, I should probably let everybody know that there are some good back-up plans/alternatives that still take me in the career direction I want to go (career direction => furries).

First off, I also applied to UC Davis' DVM/PhD program (although they refer to it as the VSTP - Veterinary Scientist Training Program.  Spiffy!)  I won't hear ANYTHING from them until closer to the middle of Feb.  As in I don't know if I'll get an interview, much less an offer.  Being out of state, the chances are much worse than the chances of wining the 164 million jackpot.  Seriously worse.  It was probably a waste of money to apply......I applied to NC State's and Colorado State's combined degree programs but didn't get interviews.

Now the other possibilities are to do a PhD only, first.  I've applied to  Colorado State's Micro program in the veterinary college, and I've applied to UVa.  Yeah, I know0 UVa doesn't have a vet pro52gra.......ok, that was the Sam.  He's decided he needs0.111111111111111  Get off!!!!  Ugh, he's decided he needs love so bad that typing is unacceptable.  He's swatting my hands as we speak.  Er, as I type.  Whatever!

Maybe he's letting me know I'm running on?  Anyway, long story short I'll do a PhD first if I have to, then reapply to vet programs.  And UVa is a viable option because 1) It's a great program with really good faculty and research 2) I've already completed 99% of the course work 3) I do like having easy access to Gearhart's chocolates, at least 6 wineries and 3 breweries all in 20 mile radius.  Crozet rocks :-)

All those are decisions to be made after I get more information (as in an offer or rejection!!) and I'm not worrying about it now.  Off to bed and hopefully some sleep......*sigh*

ps- came home to a sick hubby.  He'd been off at a conference and brought back a present!!  Yippee!!  I'd rather he not share this particular present......poor guy :-(