New Frontiers

There were beautiful arrangements of scarlet tulips upstairs in the Atrium.

During the first half of the symposium, guests studied poster presentations by Harker students as well as by research laboratories and renowned companies in the biotechnology industry. In the upper center of the photo you can kind of see the amazing muscle photos taken by Harker journalists. I loved the decorations-- vines and flowers twisted and sculpted into vertical segments of DNA, seated upon antiqued columns. Later, I attended a fun CSI:Harker workshop where we experienced hands-on forensic DNA profiling.

Lunch was great, and free too! (since I volunteered to man the registration desk and fold DNA origami)

Here's an extremely pathetic photo of the second keynote address, where Dr. Andy Chan, the senior vice president of Genentech, spoke about research in immunology and rheumatology. He covered not only the methodology of developing new, targeted drugs, but also the application of different fields of science in biotechnology. I admit that I did not grasp every concept he presented, but his speech was highly informative and really piqued my interest in the study of medicine.

He closed with some inspirational words of advice, ideas that can be applied to goals much broader than just scientific research:

1. Do what excites you.
2. Immerse youself in your work.
3. Do it well, rigorously, and creatively.