What is your dream of being a scientist? - (Sep/12/2006 )

My dream is to get a PhD, and study gene expression in people with eating disorders (particularly anorexia or bulemia).

I love to read and write, I have an OCD (according to other people) about organizing work/schedules/physical objects, and genuinely like to teach people. I find gratification in hearing a student explaining to someone else how a procedure works after I have helped that student learn how to troubleshoot the procedure for themselves.

The obstacles I'm facing now are mostly personal, but my professional obstacles stem from the fact that I'm currently a technician. I have found that professors and graduate students alike have the attitude of "you're a technician, not a scientist," "what makes you think you can be more than a technician," or similar derogatory attitudes. I am not optimistic about that perception of me changing if I were to enroll as a graduate student here.

To enjoy what I enjoy doing and not for the money nor the fame. You'll meet people -condescending to say the least - when you work with them. Sigh...

one, go abroad get phD
two, publish cell,nature,cell paper
three, find a new drug and pathway to cure cancer