Skye Chang
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
To The National Science Foundation:
I am writing with sincere thanks for the opportunity to participate in the Research Training Program at the National Museum of Natural History this summer. Without your funding, I would have never been able to experience the world of anthropological research, collection management, diversity conservation, and museum curation. My placement with Dr. Douglas Owsley and his superb team of physical anthropologists gave me an insider's perspective of a career in research. Dr. Owsley's continued interest in the success of his students should be commended, as he served as an essential component of my summer enrichment and provided an excellent example of research mentoring.
Over the coarse of ten weeks, I have learned an invaluable amount of information stemming both from basic anthropology and laboratory research. Throughout this internship, I have been able to develop fieldwork techniques, refine my understanding of basic human osteology, procure and present data, develop a proficiency in lecture style, improve my networking skills, and become familiar with laboratory procedures. Undoubtedly, the knowledge I have acquired here will allow me to excel in future assignments.
Specifically, the opportunity to participate in an excavation at the Congressional Cemetery allowed me to learn the art of fieldwork. This opportunity permitted the rare chance to study field techniques and become acquainted with people who were already well versed in this area. The guest lectures and laboratory tours were also of extreme value because they offered the opportunity to meet investigators from other spectrums within biological research. Mary Sangrey was essential in setting up field trips and optional laboratory activities. These were fundamental in learning about the diversity of research opportunities.
Above all, it was an absolute joy to converse with the professors and curators that I had seen in documentaries and had read about in books. My interest in anthropology, forensic science, and biology can be attributed to many Smithsonian researchers. These individuals are on the forefront of research, and who, through extensive knowledge, created the textbooks that I had studied from. And I am absolutely privileged and thankful that I had the chance to work with them.
This internship has enhanced my perspective and knowledge of biological research. My understanding of research philosophy, technique, and publication are, without a doubt, superior in part to this program. I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks for funding this research opportunity. The Research Training Program at the Smithsonian has not only enriched my proficiency in physical anthropology, but has furthered my interest in a biological research career.
Sincerely,
Skye Chang
Research Training Program, 2003
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