4 August 2006
Juan
Andres Martinez Lanfranco
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay
Dear Bill and Jean Lane,
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the endowment you created
several years ago, which now yields annual payouts to fully support
a position in the Research Training Program (RTP) each summer. I am
the grateful recipient of this years award thereby providing the financial
support that allowed my participation in the 2006 Research Training
Program (RTP) at Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. As
a foreign student I feel privileged to be here at the Smithsonian and
take part in such a challenging program at a top research institution.
Developing my research project in the Division of Mammals, surrounded
by such a qualified and warm group of people in an enjoyable atmosphere
was an incredibly rewarding experience. It opened my mind and broadened
my horizons in how to develop and conduct biological research in a professional,
responsible and competent way.
This program has given me the opportunity to see how natural history
grows and develops from a great variety of disciplines. It has also
shown me how necessary and important multidisciplinary studies, especially
when aiming to produce an integrative and holistic view of nature. During
this experience, I realized the importance of museum and collections-based
studies for society, in conserving biodiversity, and as a legacy for
future generations.
The benefits of this unique and invaluable experience were not only
academic but also of personal growth. This is one of those life experiences
that changes people, change me, forever, like an "imprint."
My expectations were exceeded by far. I will never forget what I have
lived and learned this summer as an RTP student. I really enjoyed every
activity, every informal talk, everything.
At the end of the program, I feel pity because time is running out
so quickly. But I will be happy to return home to Uruguay, full of enthusiasm
to continue my studies applying all I have learned here. It is almost
impossible to explain in a one page letter how enriching and unique
experience has been in all respects, and to thank you for making it
possible with your donation. Muchas gracias!
Sincerely,
Juan Andrés Martínez Lanfranco
Research Training Program
Class of '06