Today I awoke knowing that it would be my last full day in Italy. It has truly been a beautiful place and wonderful time.
Todays talks had two keynotes: one from Georgia Institute of Tehnology and the other from Brookhaven National Laboratory. I mention that because it is very impressive for Kate and Denis to be able to bring researchers, faculty, students and industry from East Coast, West Coast and around the globe to this conference to collaborate and exchange ideas.
Just to paint a picture: you walk into the room and evryone has their laptops open and your thinking to yourself, is anyone even listening or looking at the presentation and then at the end, when the session chair ask "Are there any questions", eight hands go up and they refer to slide 5, graph 1.
The talks were all day today, from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. but the night ended with a mountainside feast.
If you all remember from an earlier post, the hotel is located on top of a mountain valley. Our dinner was outside over looking the city. We all mingled, shared stories and had a wonderful 5 course meal, our last dinner of the conference.
After dinner, Kate was presented with a gift for such a wonderful conference. The comment was made from the Engineering Conference International (ECI) coordinators, that they rarely see attendees stay the whole conference and interact as they did this conference. They were surprised to see it. ECI conference take about 2 years to fully plan and Kate and Denis had been palnning this one for about that time. I wasn`t surprised to see the interactionor collaborations that were fostered during this conference because that is what Kate and Denis strive for in the work they do. I`ve had the pleasure of working with both of them for years now and have seen them bridge many gaps.
This conference gave me the opportunity to meet and speak with some very interesting people while here. All conversations of course were not about science, engineering or medicine. Engineers and scientist have lives outside of their work :)
In the end, we celebrated with dancing and karoke.
So, I`ll end this blog with a question. What songs do you think were sung, when you bring together a group of about 10 different nationalities for karoke?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Working in Italy
I have to tell you all that I am totally off with my time and days.
I am bringing you news about my day on Tuesday, June 16. I am going to try to play catch up so bare with me.
I woke up sick this morning and I think it was just from all the stress, travel, time change, and discomfort from flight. By noon Italian time, I was better.
So last we spoke, the students had a poster session. Stephanie Fraley from Denis Wirtz lab, won the graduate student prize, which was a 'nano' ipod and plaque from our industrial representatives from Merck Research Laboratories. Stephanie was very surprised she won because she had only come to take care off AV and lighting. She is currently doing research and decided to present a poster as well. Good decision!
The first session was about commercialization of Bio-nanotechnology? So why is that important? Well, researchers and students alike spend loads of time of time in the lab doing research, trying to find cures, better ways to deliver drugs, or better methods for medical technologies. The discussion was very important because it addressed the issue of what happens next. What happens after you have done the research? How does it reach the people?
After this interesting discussion, the students convinced me to take a hike--yes, nature hike to the next province up the hill, Barga. The rest of the group was taking an excursion to Lucca by bus. I opted to take the hike with the students. We ate lunch and set out for our journey. It was a total of 5 of us with trail directions from 30 years ago. The directions stated that it would take 1 hour one way. The sun was high and we were motivated. I took a bottle of water and some cups and we began to walk. From the hotel to the entrance took a total of 20 minutes, it was fine going down hill,but I could only imagine the walk up hill coming back. The directions said to look for a cemetary on our right and then walk for 15 minutes and we would know that we were walking in the right direction. It was a very small cemetary but filled with fresh flowers. Next, the directions said look for the house with a bunch of cars and then a Madonna will be on your right, at that point go down a dirt path in the woods. This is where the hike got very interesting. Well the path was not dirt in was brick and steep going downhill. On the other side was a creek and a old three story house that looked haunted. We then had to walk up a steep cobble stone hill to another Madonna. Once we found this Madonna and climbed another hill...yes another hill we would have reached Barga. Well we did it in an hour and smelled and looked like it.
Barga was...well...we had a fun hike. We made it back to the bottom of the hotel entrance it about 25-30 minutes and attempted to climb the hill back to the top. We stop to look at goats grazing and with the sun beaming realized that it would definately take us another hour to make it to the top. Valerie, a student from Venice caught a ride to the top and went to her car and picked us up from the bottom.
The second session was ended by David Gracias, a professor at Hopkins, who gave an innovative talk on nanotools and devices for medicine.
I am bringing you news about my day on Tuesday, June 16. I am going to try to play catch up so bare with me.
I woke up sick this morning and I think it was just from all the stress, travel, time change, and discomfort from flight. By noon Italian time, I was better.
So last we spoke, the students had a poster session. Stephanie Fraley from Denis Wirtz lab, won the graduate student prize, which was a 'nano' ipod and plaque from our industrial representatives from Merck Research Laboratories. Stephanie was very surprised she won because she had only come to take care off AV and lighting. She is currently doing research and decided to present a poster as well. Good decision!
The first session was about commercialization of Bio-nanotechnology? So why is that important? Well, researchers and students alike spend loads of time of time in the lab doing research, trying to find cures, better ways to deliver drugs, or better methods for medical technologies. The discussion was very important because it addressed the issue of what happens next. What happens after you have done the research? How does it reach the people?
After this interesting discussion, the students convinced me to take a hike--yes, nature hike to the next province up the hill, Barga. The rest of the group was taking an excursion to Lucca by bus. I opted to take the hike with the students. We ate lunch and set out for our journey. It was a total of 5 of us with trail directions from 30 years ago. The directions stated that it would take 1 hour one way. The sun was high and we were motivated. I took a bottle of water and some cups and we began to walk. From the hotel to the entrance took a total of 20 minutes, it was fine going down hill,but I could only imagine the walk up hill coming back. The directions said to look for a cemetary on our right and then walk for 15 minutes and we would know that we were walking in the right direction. It was a very small cemetary but filled with fresh flowers. Next, the directions said look for the house with a bunch of cars and then a Madonna will be on your right, at that point go down a dirt path in the woods. This is where the hike got very interesting. Well the path was not dirt in was brick and steep going downhill. On the other side was a creek and a old three story house that looked haunted. We then had to walk up a steep cobble stone hill to another Madonna. Once we found this Madonna and climbed another hill...yes another hill we would have reached Barga. Well we did it in an hour and smelled and looked like it.
Barga was...well...we had a fun hike. We made it back to the bottom of the hotel entrance it about 25-30 minutes and attempted to climb the hill back to the top. We stop to look at goats grazing and with the sun beaming realized that it would definately take us another hour to make it to the top. Valerie, a student from Venice caught a ride to the top and went to her car and picked us up from the bottom.
The second session was ended by David Gracias, a professor at Hopkins, who gave an innovative talk on nanotools and devices for medicine.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Finally Here...
Sharon and I arrived in Italy, an hour and 40 minutes earlier than we were supposed to. Kate had arranged for us a ride back to the conference center. It felt so refreshing to breath natural air. We had been indoors for so long.
Seeing the sites of Italy, from the airport to the hotel were beautiful. I have taken tons of pictures so far unfortunately, my trusty laptop that I always travel with, I believe has become short lived. It will not access Wi-Fi nor will it gain internet access with a network cable so the pictures will be on hold until I figure it out.
The delays were so worth the view from the balcony in my room (and here is where I would insert a picture). The hotel is located on the side of a mountain valley and it is simply breath taking. Okay..back to reality. When Sharon and I arrived we were warmly greeted by Kate with hugs and kisses and then told to eat and be ready in 30 minutes...lol. Oh everyone forgot for a second that I was here for work. Well Kate was nice enough to rearrange the schedule so that Sharon could present this afternoon since she missed her presentation this morning. Sharon did great, considering how tired she was.
Three students from Johns Hopkins had the opportunity to attend this conference, Tommy Tong, Laura Beasman, and Stephanie Fraley. Tommy and Laura are both supported through INBT by the IGERT grant and have Kate as their co-advisor. Stephanie is supported by Denis Wirtz. The students are presenting their posters as I type this blog (again this is where I would insert some pictures).
It is about 1 pm back home and 7 pm here in Italy. The students are being judged on the content, creativity, and discussion. Yes, discussion, because the students have to be able to discuss with the judges their research, what it means and why it is important.
After the poster session, we will have dinner and then because of serious jetlag, I will be going to sleep.
I hope to keep in contact but since my laptop refuses to connect to the internet it may be hard.
Seeing the sites of Italy, from the airport to the hotel were beautiful. I have taken tons of pictures so far unfortunately, my trusty laptop that I always travel with, I believe has become short lived. It will not access Wi-Fi nor will it gain internet access with a network cable so the pictures will be on hold until I figure it out.
The delays were so worth the view from the balcony in my room (and here is where I would insert a picture). The hotel is located on the side of a mountain valley and it is simply breath taking. Okay..back to reality. When Sharon and I arrived we were warmly greeted by Kate with hugs and kisses and then told to eat and be ready in 30 minutes...lol. Oh everyone forgot for a second that I was here for work. Well Kate was nice enough to rearrange the schedule so that Sharon could present this afternoon since she missed her presentation this morning. Sharon did great, considering how tired she was.
Three students from Johns Hopkins had the opportunity to attend this conference, Tommy Tong, Laura Beasman, and Stephanie Fraley. Tommy and Laura are both supported through INBT by the IGERT grant and have Kate as their co-advisor. Stephanie is supported by Denis Wirtz. The students are presenting their posters as I type this blog (again this is where I would insert some pictures).
It is about 1 pm back home and 7 pm here in Italy. The students are being judged on the content, creativity, and discussion. Yes, discussion, because the students have to be able to discuss with the judges their research, what it means and why it is important.
After the poster session, we will have dinner and then because of serious jetlag, I will be going to sleep.
I hope to keep in contact but since my laptop refuses to connect to the internet it may be hard.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Getting to Italy...
I had promised that the next blog would be about my arrival to Italy but after my long adventures to get to Italy (and technically I'm not there yet), I had to write this.
I travel enough for work and self to know a bit about flying but was not prepared for this. I attend at least 3 conferences a year to exhibit and recruit undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral students into the many programs that are housed at the INBT. Plus I take at least one trip for myself outside of work. With all that said, I fly a lot.
I believe this may have been my first time flying Delta and it will be my last. I did the online check-in as usual and since this was an international flight, I arrived to the airport more than 2 hours early. I should have known from the beginning that there was going to be some issues because the lines were so long and so many people were complaining. I was told to go to one line and then once through that line, told that was the wrong line & had to go to another line. The reps were overwhelmed and unable to provide good customer service during check-in at BWI. I waited about an hour just to check my bag in. I didn't let it dampen my spirits. I told the ladies to have a wonderful day and went to wait for my flight.
Low and behold, the flight from BWI to JFK was going to be delayed but only by 20 minutes. We were not told why but were assured we would not miss our connecting flight to Pisa, Italy, since the flight from BWI to JFK is only 30 minutes. Needless to say, the 30 minute flight turned into an hour and 45 minute flight and we missed our connection.
Yes, I say we, because on my flight was Dr. Sharon Gerecht, a professor at Hopkins, that was on her way to the conference as well, to give a talk. When Sharon & I arrived to JFK we were told by Delta, that its not their fault and that they would put us on the next flight to Italy. Cool! The next flight to Pisa was in 24 hours!
So no Italy...at least not today.
Sharon got us a room for the night and we ate some of the worst chinese ever. We spent a total of about 18 hours in the airport for both days. We are finally boarding the flight to Pisa, Italy. Yeah!!!
I travel enough for work and self to know a bit about flying but was not prepared for this. I attend at least 3 conferences a year to exhibit and recruit undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral students into the many programs that are housed at the INBT. Plus I take at least one trip for myself outside of work. With all that said, I fly a lot.
I believe this may have been my first time flying Delta and it will be my last. I did the online check-in as usual and since this was an international flight, I arrived to the airport more than 2 hours early. I should have known from the beginning that there was going to be some issues because the lines were so long and so many people were complaining. I was told to go to one line and then once through that line, told that was the wrong line & had to go to another line. The reps were overwhelmed and unable to provide good customer service during check-in at BWI. I waited about an hour just to check my bag in. I didn't let it dampen my spirits. I told the ladies to have a wonderful day and went to wait for my flight.
Low and behold, the flight from BWI to JFK was going to be delayed but only by 20 minutes. We were not told why but were assured we would not miss our connecting flight to Pisa, Italy, since the flight from BWI to JFK is only 30 minutes. Needless to say, the 30 minute flight turned into an hour and 45 minute flight and we missed our connection.
Yes, I say we, because on my flight was Dr. Sharon Gerecht, a professor at Hopkins, that was on her way to the conference as well, to give a talk. When Sharon & I arrived to JFK we were told by Delta, that its not their fault and that they would put us on the next flight to Italy. Cool! The next flight to Pisa was in 24 hours!
So no Italy...at least not today.
Sharon got us a room for the night and we ate some of the worst chinese ever. We spent a total of about 18 hours in the airport for both days. We are finally boarding the flight to Pisa, Italy. Yeah!!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
So your wondering...Why Italy?
Of course everyone has been asking, what did I do to get to go to Italy? I can not answer this simply. I work for the Institute for NanoBioTechnology (INBT--the name is long) at Johns Hopkins and I administer all of the educational programs there. I started with two graduate programs in particular, the Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) program. The IGERT is directed by Dr. Kate Stebe and the HHMI by Dr. Denis Wirtz. I have been working closely with the both of them on especially Kate for 3 years now perfecting the programs.
Well it just so happened that both Kate and Denis decided to chair a nanotechnology conference in Italy. I know you are all thinking...so lucky right. I'm definitely going. Not so fast. Kate and Denis are researchers. This is a nanotech conference--researchers from all of the US..heck from all over the country speaking on nanotechnology, where am I going to fit in and why would I go?
Because it's Italy! but more importantly...
Kate thought it would be a great experience for me to go network with researchers at this conference, engage in some of the talks, and enjoy Italy.
Well it just so happened that both Kate and Denis decided to chair a nanotechnology conference in Italy. I know you are all thinking...so lucky right. I'm definitely going. Not so fast. Kate and Denis are researchers. This is a nanotech conference--researchers from all of the US..heck from all over the country speaking on nanotechnology, where am I going to fit in and why would I go?
Because it's Italy! but more importantly...
Kate thought it would be a great experience for me to go network with researchers at this conference, engage in some of the talks, and enjoy Italy.
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