For the last few weeks, I have been working at the Marine Biology Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA serving as a course assistant for the Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Hazards and Opportunities (ECHO) course. 

When describing MBL to other members of our lab back in Rochester, my boss said, “MBL is like Paris for scientists.” My initial reaction to this comparison was to giggle, because she often makes funny comparisons and metaphors, but as she described it more, I kind of…agreed? (Martha, if you’re reading this…I hope you appreciate how much and how often I give you credit for being right).

Granted, I’ve never been to Paris, so what do I really know? But, regardless, MBL is a really, truly special place.

The MBL was founded in 1888 and is “dedicated to scientific discovery – exploring fundamental biology, understanding biodiversity and the environment, and informing the human condition through research and education.” Scientists from all over the world travel to the MBL, and some of its illustrious visitors have included: 63 Nobel Prize winners, 137 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators, 319 Members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 280 Members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences – AKA, a whole lot of badass motherfuckers (for my older audience, know that I mean that with the utmost respect and admiration).

Even within our own short course, with a cohort of just twelve students, we had people visiting from Japan, India, the Phillipines, and all regions of the United States. I find it so enjoyable, and such a privilege, to get to learn from and work with people with such diverse backgrounds and perspectives. I love learning the different ways that people approach things and the unique ways that people think about things. Selfishly, it helps me grow and expand the ways that I think about and approach things – and I think that’s what we should all be trying to do! 

Heck, part of the purpose of peer review in science is to get feedback from other experts in the field to identify gaps of knowledge and new approaches to conduct the best, most thorough research possible. And so by having this early introduction to other people’s perspectives, it will help each of us to do better, more thorough work – no matter what our work or our field is.

Furthermore, hearing and understanding the different hurdles, hardships, and difficulties that other people have had to face to be here, at the same place as me, helps me to have a deeper appreciation for them, their experiences, and their presence in this space, and the time that we get to share together.

So to every person I have shared space with – thank you.

Pause. (This is new vernacular I’ve learned from a new “friend” 😝 teehee)

So, anyway, I’ve been here working for 2.5 weeks straight…no weekends, no days off, 12-hour long days, a rapid, less than 48 hour trip back to Rochester for my program retreat, nights spent in a pretty uncomfortable twin bed…quite an intensive and tiring experience, to say the very least. (Babygirl is sooooo eepy)

But it has been a wonderful experience!!! Getting to connect with the faculty, and especially the students, has been a true treat. I definitely have some friend crushes on some of the students here (Hi, Jenn, I hope you’re reading this…you might be my new biggest fan 😝). And I’ve maybe, possibly, potentially, identified some new people I may be interested in working with in the future?? Maybe?? (IDK, I’m afraid of commitment)

Getting to wake up each day to views of boats and water and crashing waves has been so wonderful for my Pisces self. And getting to constantly be in rooms full of wicked smart people, with such unique ways of thinking, and who really care about the same things I do, has been so refreshing for my soul. Especially given the ~current status~ of so many things revolving around scientific research.

To know that there are so many people who care so deeply, who want to make a difference, and are unwilling to bend the knee…it’s inspiring and hopeful. It makes me feel like we might not be so screwed in the future after all.

So, again, thank you.

This year was especially memorable for me, as I received some really good, hopeful news regarding my F31 grant I submitted over six months ago. Given the uncertainty of ~so many things~ I’m going to try to not let my hopes get too high…but, regardless, getting my reviewer comments and a positive email from my program officer provided some very nice validation that my work matters and that other people see my potential.

Now, I’m sitting in the airport, and I’m just happy. It was an amazing experience…but I cannot wait to be home!!!!! I miss my bed, I miss my friends, I miss my routine. Cheers, bruv.