Aeromedica

In my last post I wrote about an upcoming interview I had, and I’m happy to report that it went well! I was offered the position and report for work early tomorrow morning.

I’ll be working for a company that can only be described as awesome. Who would’ve guessed that there was a dream job out there that combined my love of all things mechanically airborne with my love for medicine and public health? Certainly not me – I mean, how often can one weave fast engines into a human interest story? But, while doing a random internet search for aerospace-related jobs in the U.S. I came across a press release from the FAA. It mentioned recent changes to air medical transport regulations in the U.S. and abroad, especially in and out of international airspace and combat zones. The report also noted several design issues concerning the fixed and light wing craft used, and that led me to do a bit of exploration into the subject on my own. What I found out was, the nation’s largest provider of air medical emergency transport services and systems to the U.S. and abroad is based less than an hour from my front door. After looking at the company’s profile and learning more about the aeromedical industry, I felt myself falling and looked into finding a job there I qualified for. The one I was most attracted to involved working with design specifications in the engineering department. I applied, and the rest is history.

The learning curve is going to be high. I will work mainly with helicopter specs (mostly AS350′s, EC135′s and 145′s) which are not my niche. But, I like the challenge this job will offer and I want to be in an environment that allows for growth. Plus, this company has a mission I can feel good about. To sum up, here is a quote from a farewell email I recently wrote to some of my former co-workers:

At the end of my interview I had a tour of the hangar; there I watched technicians install an overhead night-vision light relay into an AS350 helicopter being retrofitted for military use. I was told the copter would be used to transport injured persons to base hospitals in and out of combat zones, and they needed the special lighting to remain invisible from the ground while also being able to attend to the needs of the patient.

I think, had they not offered me the job right then, I would’ve quickly offered my time, free of charge.

Yeah. I feel like I got what I didn’t know I was looking for, but always wanted. I’m a happy girl.

2008…

As the holiday season subsides, I’m gradually coming back to reality. Things at work have been unusually stressful, as I’m training two people to replace me when I leave my current job and often find myself running in circles…literally. It all feels very real now since I turned in my resignation letter – my last official day is in 2 weeks! At approximately 8:37pm on Monday night, after several long nights and early mornings over the last week, I got myself temporarily caught up to a place where I could stop working. I immediately dropped everything and ran to bed before I could get another phone call or text message, or before my email page could refresh itself again.

Despite the stress, I’m excited about the transition. In the midst of all the changes, it just really settled on me this week that I am no longer a college student! I have graduated and re-entered the life of professionalism. Before the holidays, I wrote about not being chosen for a research job I had really hoped to get. Since then, I have been offered (and accepted) a part-time teaching position in the Aviation and Aerospace Sciences department of a small college in Denver. Despite the size of the college, the department has a strong and long standing reputation in the industry, and is ranked fifth in the country. I look forward to working there.

It looks like this weekend I’ll be putting in some additional hours to stay on top of a couple of new projects that came across my desk this week. I don’t mind so much, as I want to get things finished. Next week I’ll treat myself to something special

Sleep came more easily before.

I’m in DC right now visiting my best friend and her husband and, after a very full day, I can’t sleep.  It’s after 2am ET on Saturday, and I’ve been awake since 5am MT Friday.  Grrr.

I slept like a ROCK on the plane ride here, though.  It was a turbulent flight and I love that–the rocking and bumps lull me to sleep.  Plus, I had my headphones on listening to one of my favorite bands, Creed, and “What If” was the last song I remember hearing.

I found out today that I didn’t get the research position in Denver I had been hoping for.  I was surprised and a little upset because I had been in contact with the group head all along, who re-assured me as soon as a week ago that I was a really strong candidate and filling the position was just a matter of time spent going through the bureaucratic process.  But instead, this morning I received an unsigned form-letter via email from the general HR office saying another applicant had been selected.  Again, I felt disappointed and slighted, especially since the notice didn’t come directly from my contact.  After talking to Cam, who was having a bear of a day back home, too, it turned out, and my friend here, I feel much less twisted over it now.  But I still can’t sleep.

Anyhow, at least now I know; not hearing either way was driving me mad.  Now I can move on and re-focus my search.  I made a couple of business contacts at a cocktail reception tonight, so we’ll see if they lead anywhere.

Reaching for the Reset Button…

The job hunt isn’t moving as quickly as I had hoped and I’m feeling a little exasperated over it. It isn’t the job prospects, per se, it’s me. I’m a ducks-in-a-row kind of gal–it’s a security thing. Finding and keeping a good job in the area is important to me, a lot is riding on it, and I haven’t made it off to an encouraging start. I’ve had a couple of potential offers, but nothing solid yet. To make matters worse, I’ve been holding my breath for a particular one which so far has dragged the hiring process out beyond my comfort level. (Isn’t that always the way? You want one to call, but instead all the others do! LOL) As friends (and certainly Life) have reminded me, what one wants is often just a few steps ahead of what one really wants, so the passage of time can be a good thing. Nice advice for this time in my life.

During my run this morning I kept telling myself that in one month none of this will matter or be on my mind

Cam and I went to see Beowulf a couple of weeks ago, and afterwards we bought the full-length poem (this seeing the movie then buying the book thing is becoming a trend…). I’ve nearly finished it and must admit that I think there is little conceptual overlap between the poem and the movie (which I did really enjoy, by the way. I’m a big Neil Gaiman fan). That being said, I’d recommend any fantasy fan out there to go and see it…just don’t expect to whet your appetite for classical literature. They each stand on their own as distinct works of art.

Yeah, it’s Saturday!

Hello! Life around here has been mostly busy, but mostly good. The interview I had for the research position went well, and I expect to hear news of an offer soon. It has also gotten out at my current job that I’m leaving, so there have been lots of folks coming up to ask when, what I’ll be doing next, etc. When I’ll be leaving depends mostly on how soon after the semester I can begin my new position. What I’ll be doing next is working for a year or two, then entering graduate school in the subsequent fall semester.

More recently, I’ve solicited the advice of several colleagues regarding research opportunities and future plans. Doing so has helped congeal several of the interests I’ve pursued throughout college and in my personal time. In my work and studies, I’ve gained experience in the biological and space sciences, engineering, public health, disaster relief and emergency management. I’ve also worked on projects that have ranged from building construction, to concept development to policy design. Yee-ha!

I’m looking forward to having more of a normal life when I write my last exam, receive my diploma and start a new, more relevant job.

And, Happy Birthday to my “little” brother, who called just after midnight this morning to say the festivities had already begun! Happy 20th, Bobbo, I luv ya!

It was just a Really Great Day.

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a perfect day. I wanted to keep it low key, so I did, and spent most of the morning receiving calls from family (which was wonderful), drinking tea and watching one of my favorite movies. Around noon Cam took me out for an early supper and that was fun too (even without Spinach & Artichoke dip ). We had a nice long walk around our neighborhood afterwards and the weather was absolutely gorgeous.

After that I headed out to sci fi club and hung out with friends for a couple hours eating warm caramel rolls while we watched the evening’s television line up. Yummm.

Even though I’ve been told I actually have a full week to celebrate my birthday, the week coming up is a busy one so unfortunately I can’t take that too seriously .

As a brief Life update: there have been some sad times recently as members of my extended family, who are very dear to me, have experienced several emergencies. My heart and attention have been with them. They have been and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, and I am grateful as things seem to be improving. Also, I’ve been busy with career stuff. I made the decision last month to accept a position on the Board of Directors at the non-profit I’ve been active with for about a year and a half now. It was a very involved but gratifying decision, and it has rewarded me, even in the the short time since I made it. I also have a job interview for a research position in Denver tomorrow! Wish me luck and blessings. I will probably spend the remainder of this afternoon making final preparations for that.

That’s all for now; I will write more regular updates now that the “busyness” has subsided.

Peace!

Accolades, again!

I was very pleased to read recently that Vanessa Northington Gamble, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed as University Professor of Medical Humanities at George Washington University, effective earlier this month. As a physician, historian, and activist, Dr. Gamble is an expert in the fields of medical history and humanities, bioethics and health care disparities, and is the first woman to hold this prestigious faculty position.

Early in my academic career I spent hours in the stacks of the local university’s library reading anything I could get my hands on that dealt with the history of race and ethnicity in medicine and public health in this country. Scholars such as Dr. Gamble fueled my passion, with writings and publications that vociferously addressed the state of health care as I observed it within my community, and presented to me a priceless body of knowledge from which I have drawn from over and over again.

Dr. Gamble directed the National Center for Bioethics and Research in Health Care at Tuskegee University and has served as head of the Division of Community and Minority Programs at the Association of American Medical Colleges. She is also an associate professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Many congratulations to her and to the faculty that will benefit tremendously from her wisdom.

Moving Forward in Science Policy

On August 13th, Dr. Nina Fedoroff, of Pennsylvania State University, was sworn in as the newest Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State (Ms. Condoleezza Rice). While in this position, Dr. Fedoroff will have a key influence on the future of American science policy and international scientific cooperation–

“The position of Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) was created in 2000, to serve as the Department’s chief scientist and principal liaison with the national and international scientific and engineering communities. Dr. Fedoroff is the third person to hold this position. The Adviser is responsible for enhancing the science and technology literacy and capacity at the State Department, increasing the number of scientists and engineers working in Washington and missions abroad, strengthening and building bridges to the scientific and engineering communities, and providing advice on current and emerging science and technology issues as they impact foreign policy.” (excerpted from the U.S. Department of State’s website)

Dr. Fedoroff has been a favorite researcher of mine for quite some time because of her work with genetics and molecular biology and her studies on the societal impacts of genetically modified crops. She brings to the position an impressive body of knowledge and a well-respected plethora of experience, which includes memberships to the National Science Board and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also served as founding Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State and is a National Medal of Science laureate.

I look forward to hearing the dialogue her office will bring to the public policy round table.

Off and Running

Becoming pensive about life always puts me in a classical mood…musically, I mean. As a closet artist, I see most of my moods mirrored in art; in particular, in my choice of music and in my appreciation of others’ art.

Being in this sort of “mood” also means getting out and hitting the pavement. I’ve never been an avid runner, but something about it soothes my unfocused mind.

And so, this morning, I ran.

What goes through my mind in those moments of deep breath, achy calves and crisp, gorgeous air is befuddled. During that time I feel alone, and somewhat free, I guess, to absorb the air, the music, and my thoughts. I can’t really say in words, but it feels something like the latest SongSpot I’ve added (Allison Lovejoy’s RAVEL: Jeux d’eau). The way the time signatures dance around each other – it’s quite intriguing and very fitting.

Flight of the Torus

It’s quite hot outside today – 99°F by my last check. Although I enjoy warm weather, it can make one feel enervated from time to time In light of all of that, I decided to spend the afternoon putting my feet up and catching up on some reading I’d fallen behind on.

During my time off this summer, I’ve been taking a somewhat objective look at research possibilities after graduation. I’ve know for quite some time that my preferred program (Bioastronautics) is realizing a support crisis right now, due to low priority initiatives and a lack of funding. This is mostly due to the Shuttle program ending in 2010, with priority shifting away from the space life sciences to vehicle development and deployment. Getting to space takes precedence over living in space, for right now at least. Projections estimate that priorities will remain reversed for quite a number of years into the future – 15 or more, in fact. There are many exciting discoveries to be made, as clearly outlined in this interesting article published in the latest issue of Aerospace America; however, as the article also points out, there are several political hurdles to overcome in the next decade.

Keeping that bit of a reality check in mind, my thoughts turn to other interests I have in the areas of science, technology and public policy – namely, alternative energy and science policy. I’ve taken a particularly strong interest in nuclear fusion energy and international cooperation efforts toward nonproliferation. The idea of developing a virtually unlimited energy supply, coupled with the desire to use nuclear energy for peaceful applications, is an extremely attractive career option for me. In the future, with sufficient research and development, groundwork may be put into place for space applications, too.

Again, however, we are talking several years out before any significant developments are likely to be made. The plus side is that nuclear energy research is being heavily supported, at the domestic and international levels, and I have a strong desire to work on multilateral initiatives.

So, the deeper research has begun to see if this what I really want to pursue. I’ve been looking at published papers to see who is doing what and to update myself on what has already been done, and I’ve been brushing up on current technology – in particular, the lovely torus (the shape of the plasma chamber used inside tokamak fusion reactors).

I dare say, I’ve become fascinated.