By the time most of you read this, the NASA press conference will be over.
From Astrobiology Magazine: The recent discovery by Felisa Wolfe-Simon of an organism that can utilize arsenic in place of phosphorus, however, has demonstrated that life is still capable of surprising us in fundamental ways. The results of her research were published December 2 on Science Express and subsequently in the journal Science.
But as I am sitting at work watching the live streaming of Dr. Felisa Wolfe-Simon passionately speak about her team’s discovery of a new type of life, I am hoping that every little girl in the world get’s the chance to pursue her passion with the same fervor.
Once you expand your mind beyond the ego of homo sapins one realizes that the sun, planet and the stars are life and are alive. So it should be no surprise that life doesn’t have to be based on the same organic matter that we are based on. Its good to know someone has convinced the scientific community. Truth is power.
I have to say that my daughter has had THREE phd advisors (one retired, one moved on to another school… ). This one is a woman. She doesn’t take phd students…. but she saw that my daughter was a WOMAN and was “oh what the heck…” She is a terrific mentor, and inbetween trying to rebuild the Alvin (her project) she takes time to meet with my daughter…give her a pep talk, look over her work, pull some strings, and ask about her fiancee. They also gossip about MEN scientists sometimes.
By having this wonderful role model, she is seeing how science and family can work and work well.
I also have to say the newest trend is phd students marrying nice men that plan to stay at home and take care of the kids. Also men that are excited about travel and heck… FREE travel to someplace like Chile (they always find something for the spouse to do.. like cook or open the mail)…more men are figuring out that’s for THEM! Wives have been doing it for years, husbands are finding it an exciting life also.
The thing I tell my daughter over and over is “remember how your mentor always made time for you! One day pass it on!”
Our experiences also create our passion, having children has changed not just what I can do but also what I want to do, and I’m taking that with me as I move back in to paid work.
So I hope that every little girl is given opportunities to explore and experience and find or create new passions, all their lives.