Traveller1's Open Salon Blog

Lean in any more and I might fall!

Mon, 6 May 2013 09:05:58 -0400

My reality nearly always crystallizes from the crumbling ruins of normalcy. It was a rude shock to be marginalized from research in 2009, due to the economic collapse, evaporating soft-positions and sundry other reasons. I figured it was time to put what I had learnt in masspectrometry, proteomics, bioinformatics in proteomics at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY to good use in basic research. The search for a “good” position turned out to be more complicated than my director had almost guaranteed when he abashedly let me go, absurdly telling me that the "boys" needed it more and I was so-o good, I would get a position instantly!!

I started writing in The Indian American and News India Times and while doing so, sought out on-line bioinformatics courses to teach at all levels. Information technology towers in its scope and vitality. Never one to simply watch, I hit upon a research-based science program from Joint Genome Institute (JGI) in the Department of Energy (DOE) and recognized its potential as a dynamic education program. Initiating and helping to implement the program at the University of Buffalo, we reached out all the way to the High School level in Erie County, NY. I feel gratified at our efforts being prominently showcased by the School of Medicine in Buffalo Physician and am continuing the voluntary effort with great zeal.

Meanwhile, continuing part-time I never stopped searching for a full-time in research. I joined the Department of Dermatology, in SUNY at Buffalo in 2012, and was assigned the disease Pemphigus vulgaris. I learnt that while being a rare, potentially fatal autoimmune skin disease it is an excellent model to study organ-specific human autoimmune diseases and in spite of several aspects of the biological profiles being known, a total understanding of the disease is still elusive. After three years in near research-wilderness, you can imagine my excitement at getting the chance to have a crack at finding something novel in a disease. Would I still be up to it was my question!

Spent a year delving deep into a genome–wide expression analysis using the microarray platform, we identified unique expression signatures which could separate out PV patients from genetically matched controls; active from remittent patients (completely OFF therapy) and HLA-matched controls from HLA-unmatched controls. We discovered PV-related pathways and processes enriched in the differentially expressed genes of each of these signatures. We identified several transcriptional “hot spots” across the signatures which will help guide future research aimed at identifying disease risk genes. The most significant finding however, was a set of disease associated genes which was inversely-regulated in HLA matched individuals as compared to either PV patients or unmatched control subjects. This led to our provocative hypothesis that this signature serves a “protective” function in genetically susceptible individuals and may include targets that could be potentially manipulated to prevent, or even reverse the disease.

Even as I packaged the year in 2300 characters and sent in the abstract for the International Investigative Dermatology (IID) meeting to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland this year, I had very little hopes of actually attending my first Dermatology meeting. Feeling my age, I felt shy about applying for a travel award. The prevailing paucity of financial support for travel added to my discomfort about asking. However, my own words of encouragement to all the women I have supported in my life rang in my ears (Women, in Science who have, for so many untold reasons, had to give up) and I knew I had to give it the old college try. There is no giving up EVER! The title of book written by Sheryl rang in my ears and I felt like saying …darling …if I were to “Lean In” any more I just might fall in. More power for having done what she did in life but she does not even begin to understand another woman’s struggle. The stories of everday battles by the women around the world would become the history of woman-ity, quite distinct from humanity.

Ms. Cipolletti’s email on Feb 21, 2013 caught me by complete surprise. She informed me that I had actually won the travel fellowship!! Woooo! Hoooo! Small battles, small victories…. Representing my laboratory, department, school and country with pride.

As I leave, I would love some feedback about my itinerary AFTER the meeting. Scotland was not even close to my radar, travel–wise. But once there, there can be no resting…. So it is 2 days in Edinburgh, then onto St Andrews and the highland capital Inverness, onwards to Loch Ness, Thurso and the Orkney Islands including Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and Highland Park Distillery. Then over the sea to Skye with a drive along the Great Glen to Glencoe before crossing over to the Kyle of Lochalsh and the Eilean Donan Castle to the Valley of Glencoe. Driving along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow where the winged carrier flies over the ocean back home to Buffalo.

I hope I can do Scotland justice. Do let me know of any MUSTS that I am skipping ….any particular food I MUST try? Any particular age I must hunt down of the famous whiskey? Having heard of the absolutely marvelous scenery in Scotland from my international photographer buddies, I and my shutter cannot wait for the entire experience!

IID 2013 and Scotland …here I come!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012....

Wed, 5 Sep 2012 20:09:24 -0400

My contribution as an Indian-American proudly backing MY President for the next 4 years!!

VOTE WISELY!!

Shehla Masood- Muslim Woman Activist Murdered!

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 22:08:57 -0400

Shehla Masood (Right-to-Information activist) from Bhopal was murdered by a bullet in broad daylight outside her residence last week. The 2005 Right-to-Information Act allows Indian citizens to file requests for information to most government bodies. Shehla, 38, was an environmental and anti-corruption activist. She was my friend, my co-alumni, my fan page mate. When she first joined the high school fan page, we recognized each other right away, even though we had never met. She was fearless, forthright and formidable. I asked her if I could showcase her projects and she asked me to join her protest against corruption in India. She asked me to help her voice in Bhopal, for the anticorruption movement headed by Anna Hazare which is all over the international news today. I felt guilty. I did not live there anymore. I was not even a citizen. So I wrote to her saying I would do anything, make posters write letters …anything, but could not see myself telling people back home what to do. Seemed disingenuous. She thanked ME for encouraging her on!

She was shot outside her home in her car. I could not believe it. This is not any ordinary city. This is Bhopal. The city where I finished my high school. The city of lakes. Where inclusivity is a byword. Hindus and Muslims study side by side in Christian schools. My best friend has been a catholic nun. The city that has gone through so much pain with the Union Carbide gas tragedy in 1984. Thinking about it gives me the chills and I stop myself from even speaking of that travesty.

All I could think of was the beautiful Bhopal lake, now with my sister's blood and it did not look pretty anymore. Today it hit me close and I realized again, why humans should not and must not accept tyranny and oppression. Why the human spirit must rise against any form of terrorism. The police in Bhopal were trying to make it out to be a suicide which was intolerable. I could not even breathe until the Central Bureau of Investigation took on the case. Now.. there is some hope, even though the corridors of power are forever ridden with the very corruption Shehla stood up against. New evidence finds illegal Diamond mining project in Chhattarpur district, Madhya Pradesh by Rio Tinto and the political Mafiosi as one of her causes. Is it only me that sees danger in the very name?

Some of you may think.... not if I dont say anything or do anything. Not if I mind the lines that society has laid out for me and stay within boundaries. I say nonsense! Lines were forever meant to be crossed by some so that others benefit. I agree that lines cannot be crossed by all and some lines need not and should not be crossed at all.... That is normal. But those who have the chutzpah to cross those lines and boundaries that must be crossed move societies forward. If this were not true we too would be bound by age old prejudices that other unfortunate societies around the world suffer. We stand on the shoulders of the brave and the fearless. If society does not support them.... who then is worthy of our support? Will the whistle blowers of the world be protected? Ever?

The other point to think about is what we teach our next generation, what we leave for our children and grandchildren. If we teach them to be afraid and fearful of those who dare to crush our spirit. I say we teach them fearlessness. I say we teach them love. I say we teach them to stand up for themselves when and if they can. The world is looking for Muslim citizens who are engaged in society. There are many in India and she was one of the best and brightest. They are not spared by the terrorists.

I ask all of you to join and help me and us move on with words that mean something. Not to lose sight of Shehla’s family, or Bhopal, or even India or anywhere in the world that there is injustice. We all hope for the best and justice... We must remain vigilant and engaged in our today even as we preserve our shared history in this world and take it forward.

Sites discussing issue:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article2361776.ece?homepage=true

http://letzchangedrulz-miracles.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

http://letzchangedrulz-miracles.blogspot.com/2011/08/heart-aches-is-unimaginable.html#comments

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/slain-rti-activist-shehla-masoods-last-tweets/176137-3.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Anna-Hazares-supporter-and-RTI-activist-shot-dead-in-Bhopal/articleshow/9622139.cms

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/gallery/anna-hazare-suppoters-protest-in-bhopal/1/5338.html

http://in.news.yahoo.com/anti-corruption-crusader-killed-bhopal-091901261.html

http://kafila.org/2011/08/16/statement-on-the-martyrdom-of-shehla-masood/

http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-BHO-shehla-murder-case-eyewitness-detained-bhopal-police-tight-lipped-2373901.html

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/crime/5_18_6331474.html

http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/india/2011/08/d21392/

http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/my-friend-shehla-fighter-last

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/08/22/whistleblowers-demand-greater-protection-after-masoods-death/?fb_ref=article_top&fb_source=profile_multiline

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&¬e_id=10150264960421463

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2011/08/protests-india

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/shehla-murder-1-lakh-reward-to-nab-murderers/180279-3.html

Candles lit for Shehla Masood at the Fan Page of our Alma mater ...She was one of our best and brightest. We hope for JUSTICE. Otherwise no one ...NO ONE is safe in Bhopal anymore!

GOVERNMENT WORKS!

Tue, 9 Aug 2011 22:08:38 -0400

Toothbrush and mouth wash were packed (we are a dentist family after all!) along with the munchies, as we readied ourselves for the nearly 4000 mile (twelve states) long trip from Buffalo, NY to Yellowstone National Park recently. Our first halt-Chicago.

Reaching late at night did not stop us from sailing out to Buddy Guy’s Legends , labeled the best blues club just outside The Hilton, downtown. The music was smooth and loud, the cocktails were mixed and the dancing was mesmerizing. Maybe it was the alcohol, I loved every bit of it. The next day we hopped on and off double decker buses in a bid to see the Windy City. Saw the now historic Grant Park, ate a deep dish pizza at Gino’s East and hot dogs Chicago style, on the pier. Did the touristy picture deal in the John Hancock building and even bought the package.

We hit Chicago....running

We then drove over to the home of a friend, who I had never met or seen before and spend a most magical evening with the family. I run a roaring Facebook fan page for my High School, St Joseph's Convent, Bhopal (yes, of the Union Carbide tragedy) India and have been making these absolutely fantastic inter-generational, multicultural connections all over the world based upon a shared history! We had a blast reliving old days, marveling at the new phenomenon of finding unknown friends lurking in all corners and discussing the challenges of parenthood so far from the country of origin (India), sans the support of the greater family. Next day, garden omelets in belly…water bottles filled, we pushed off! The first leg of the journey had been promising...

Next up was Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The famous Ponderosa Pines with black bark stood tall turning the hillside a stunning but characteristic dark black green. As the morning fog lifted the famous four faces sculpted by Borglum looked out somber and pensive as ever. My Nikon went nuts trying coax out a different mood from them but they did not budge.

Black Hills of South Dakotaand Mount Rushmore below

Not satisfied with the controversy surrounding the memorial we drove off to see Crazy Horse Memorial. Charged $27 for entry vs $ 11 for Mount Rushmore, we learnt that even though it was/is intended to be grander than Mount Rushmore and has the support of Lakota chiefs, the foundation has rejected federal funds, the project was started in 1948, and lies incomplete.

We reached Yellowstone National Park in the dead of the night. Driving at 25 miles per hour along roads which had billowing smoke, passing dark figures and roadside posts it seemed like a two hour Hitchcock movie. Finally we arrived at the historic Old Faithful Inn- our destination. Designed by Robert C Reamer in 1903-04, this was a mother of all log cabins! At 2 a.m. the lobby was deserted and allowed us a fantastic view of this legendary structure and saw the roaring Old Faithful geyser go off early next morning outside the Inn.

Outside the Old Faithful Inn

We spent three days sans TV, telephones or any modern electrical devices, feasting on the myriad thermal features, with the Mammoth Hot Springs taking away the prize, the plants, old buildings, frozen lakes, mud pots, hot springs, snow capped mountain ranges, seven grizzlies, hundreds of bison, elk, geese, ravens, few bald eagles, pelicans, one winter hare, coyote and the famous Lodgepole pines. Adding anymore to the already sumptuous descriptions of the park would be superfluous. Let it be said we loved every single moment; the hikes, the ride on the historic yellow bus, the hikes with and without the rangers, the photographic opportunities. I suggest everyone to join at least one or two guided tours and spend the rest of the time roaming as you please. Nothing quite like it!

A hot spring in the Artist Paint Pot area

Our seventh bear...up close and personal....

The idea that way back in 1872 even before the country had been consolidated there were thinkers in the land who passed the law establishing Yellowstone National Park to be preserved for the “benefit and enjoyment of the people” and its wonders maintained in their pristine form, is mind-blowing today. The government brought together with scientists, artists, mapmakers, photographers and one doctor (Ferdinand Hayden) who loved the wilderness for the sake of future fellow citizens!!! Concept!

Nature observed from the historic yellow bus

No journey can be complete without a twist somewhere ….as we drove away to the South end of the park leading to Teton National Park my husband realized that he had left his wallet at a shop in Mammoth Springs at the North end of the park. That is nearly a 2 hour drive and it was 5 pm! No ranger in sight, no phone number. The internet was not working rendering all 3G connected devices useless. One lone car passed us, turned around and a gentleman came out .Turned out to be a ranger. He gave us one number to call in 5 miles when connection was possible. We did. Long story short, several numbers later we knew the wallet had been found and was being returned to the Ranger’s office for safe keeping.

Upon return, a simple brown envelope awaited us from National Park Service U.S. Department of Interior. They had returned the wallet to us, along with a letter hoping that we had had fun and would return. Now I don’t know about anyone else but when I saw the letter, I knew for certain that my tax dollars was being spent well at Yellowstone National Park. The Park was a natural wonder but this was icing on the cake.

To all those who decry the government I say…chill folks! Only when one has been the beneficiary of such courtesy can one fully appreciate the silent ways in which the government does work.

In the cacophony of things going wrong and people screaming there is something to be said about the ways that the government does work and the hushed silence around it. An aware citizenry is a strong citizenry but let us not throw away everything in this frenzied popular cry against the government.

I say…. Let us cut the waste but let us also recognize the truly precious in the land and then strive our hardest to keep it for our future fellow citizens. Let us discover who we are, what we stand up for, and what makes us tick! Hats off!

Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces...

Some of the 10,ooo geothermal features in YNP

A random hot spring, Yellowstone Lake still partly frozen, snow-capped mountains in the distance.

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Epilogue:

This article is published in "The Indian American" August 2011 -a featured article. The photographs in this blog are taken by me and are new. The editing has been tightened and a few details added.

Rama Dey-Rao

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Sun, 8 May 2011 11:05:21 -0400

The Candian Geese in my backyard have procreated this year again right in time for TODAY!