In August a group of UBRP students ventured forth on a “Lunch On Us” trip to Café Paraiso with one goal in mind: to engage in conversation someone who was not a novice at research. Our guest’s name was Sylvia Thompson, a former visiting UBRP student who had found her way back to The University of Arizona to become a research specialist in pediatrics at the Children’s Research Center.

After receiving her undergraduate degree from Reed College, Sylvia decided she wanted to take a job out of the country doing research. Knowing that few companies in foreign countries hire Americans over their own citizens, she applied to as many companies as possible (France apparently hardly every hires scientists who do not speak French). A company in Germany accepted her application. After finalizing her living arrangements, she departed for this once in a lifetime adventure.

Her experiences were, to say the least, everything she had wanted. She enjoyed the little weekend vacations to other countries and also the freedom of a large number of vacation days. Sylvia also managed to meet her husband, who was an Italian astronomer, working in Germany. Through many of her friends, she also learned that the process of receiving a graduate degree in Europe is much different than receiving one in the United States. Basically, if a professor or a researcher at a university will sponsor you then you are free to begin your graduate degree at that university.

Sylvia’s experience in Europe has encouraged her to pursue medical school, which she believes is her calling. At the moment she wishes to attend The University of Arizona’s Medical School. She believes that helping another person to make his/her life more productive and enjoyable is the biggest reward of all.

Maricela Castillo, visiting high school student researcher in Dr. Richard Jorgensen’s lab, Plant Sciences from the Academy of Science and Technology at Oak Ridge High School, Woodlands, Texas