Interview by Stan
1. Better cytes -- Leukocytes or oligodendrocytes?
This is actually kind of a hard question. Leukocytes are vital in the function of the immune system, and oligodendrocytes are key in CNS function. I think I have to go with oligodendrocytes, though, because without them there are no myelin sheaths on your neurons and therefore little to no conduction of nerve signals. And that's bad. You can survive, albeit not a great life, without leukocytes, and the immune system can be assisted, but there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do without oligodendrocytes and the nervous system.
2. Name a disease we SHOUDN'T cure and why.
Believe it or not, this is a question I think about a lot. As a person who researches a disease that seemingly everyone is trying to cure, it's hard to say that we shouldn't cure diseases. However, there is something to be said for the course of natural selection. I mean, from an evolutionary standpoint, if you are susceptible to a disease, you shouldn't reproduce, because you're not the fittest organism. But, from a humanity standpoint, how can you look a parent in the eye and tell them that there's no cure for the disease their child has? I think a somewhat easier answer to this is diseases like the common cold and influenza. Influenza, especially, is an example of a disease that a) probably CAN'T be cured, but also one that is pretty effective at "weeding out" genetically weak individuals in the population. I think these are the sorts of diseases that we shouldn't cure. HIV is another one I struggle with curing or not curing. Again, it's one I don't think can be cured, because of the way that viruses mutate and such. But also, I'm not sure that people who are stupid enough to get the disease (I'm not talking about rape victims or babies or people who got it from blood transfusions) should get to have a cure. And then there's cancer of course, which I'm studying. I don't know if we'll ever have a cure for cancer...I guarantee there's no one magic cure - sorry, we're not living in the world of Sean Connery in Medicine Man - but I don't even know if there will ever be one. Advanced treatments, yes, cure, no. But then that begs the question about whether it should be cured...and that's one I have no answer for.
3. Do Notre Dame boosters light their cigars with $100 bills?
Hahaha! I wouldn't be surprised. Some of the ND alums have WAY too much money...and they spend it in weird ways. You wouldn't believe all the tailgates on football weekends where there is gourmet food and essentially an entire bar set up. I'm sure there are alums that spend $100 on a cigar at the drop of a hat, which is basically the same thing :)
4. What is your least favorite exercise to do that you know, deep down, is good for you?
Believe it or not, I actually like exercising - my main problem is what I'm currently capable of doing. However, I guess my least favorite thing is step aerobics, and maybe that's just because I was in a class with a bunch of skinny undergrads and I couldn't keep up. I don't mind lifting weights, I really enjoy walking and the occasional jog, and I like most sports - I just feel very embarassed at my lack of ability, and I always feel like people are staring at me thinking "that fat girl looks really stupid trying to do x."
5. What's the best unknown spot (aka off the tourist map) in Hawaii to visit?
Is there anything in Hawaii that's off the tourist map? I guess a place that not too many people go is Molokai Ranch on Molokai. It's a working ranch, but they have activities for visitors, too. Most people never make it to Molokai unless it's to go to Kalaupapa (the leper colony). The main town on the island, Kaunakakai doesn't have a movie theater, just recently got a McDonald's, and maybe has one stoplight...not really a mecca. But, it's gorgeous - you can get an open air cabin, go horseback riding, be in a "rodeo," ride a mule down to Kalaupapa, and the people are some of the nicest you'll ever meet.
Okay, end my interview - if you want questions, leave a comment and I'll try to think of some.
This is actually kind of a hard question. Leukocytes are vital in the function of the immune system, and oligodendrocytes are key in CNS function. I think I have to go with oligodendrocytes, though, because without them there are no myelin sheaths on your neurons and therefore little to no conduction of nerve signals. And that's bad. You can survive, albeit not a great life, without leukocytes, and the immune system can be assisted, but there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do without oligodendrocytes and the nervous system.
2. Name a disease we SHOUDN'T cure and why.
Believe it or not, this is a question I think about a lot. As a person who researches a disease that seemingly everyone is trying to cure, it's hard to say that we shouldn't cure diseases. However, there is something to be said for the course of natural selection. I mean, from an evolutionary standpoint, if you are susceptible to a disease, you shouldn't reproduce, because you're not the fittest organism. But, from a humanity standpoint, how can you look a parent in the eye and tell them that there's no cure for the disease their child has? I think a somewhat easier answer to this is diseases like the common cold and influenza. Influenza, especially, is an example of a disease that a) probably CAN'T be cured, but also one that is pretty effective at "weeding out" genetically weak individuals in the population. I think these are the sorts of diseases that we shouldn't cure. HIV is another one I struggle with curing or not curing. Again, it's one I don't think can be cured, because of the way that viruses mutate and such. But also, I'm not sure that people who are stupid enough to get the disease (I'm not talking about rape victims or babies or people who got it from blood transfusions) should get to have a cure. And then there's cancer of course, which I'm studying. I don't know if we'll ever have a cure for cancer...I guarantee there's no one magic cure - sorry, we're not living in the world of Sean Connery in Medicine Man - but I don't even know if there will ever be one. Advanced treatments, yes, cure, no. But then that begs the question about whether it should be cured...and that's one I have no answer for.
3. Do Notre Dame boosters light their cigars with $100 bills?
Hahaha! I wouldn't be surprised. Some of the ND alums have WAY too much money...and they spend it in weird ways. You wouldn't believe all the tailgates on football weekends where there is gourmet food and essentially an entire bar set up. I'm sure there are alums that spend $100 on a cigar at the drop of a hat, which is basically the same thing :)
4. What is your least favorite exercise to do that you know, deep down, is good for you?
Believe it or not, I actually like exercising - my main problem is what I'm currently capable of doing. However, I guess my least favorite thing is step aerobics, and maybe that's just because I was in a class with a bunch of skinny undergrads and I couldn't keep up. I don't mind lifting weights, I really enjoy walking and the occasional jog, and I like most sports - I just feel very embarassed at my lack of ability, and I always feel like people are staring at me thinking "that fat girl looks really stupid trying to do x."
5. What's the best unknown spot (aka off the tourist map) in Hawaii to visit?
Is there anything in Hawaii that's off the tourist map? I guess a place that not too many people go is Molokai Ranch on Molokai. It's a working ranch, but they have activities for visitors, too. Most people never make it to Molokai unless it's to go to Kalaupapa (the leper colony). The main town on the island, Kaunakakai doesn't have a movie theater, just recently got a McDonald's, and maybe has one stoplight...not really a mecca. But, it's gorgeous - you can get an open air cabin, go horseback riding, be in a "rodeo," ride a mule down to Kalaupapa, and the people are some of the nicest you'll ever meet.
Okay, end my interview - if you want questions, leave a comment and I'll try to think of some.