4 August 2006
Kimberly
Vann
University
of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Dear NMNH Office of the Director,
Every undergraduate should have the opportunity to join the Research
Training Program (RTP) to better prepare for their future, but in reality
it's the small select group that makes the program. Having participated
in the RTP I feel ready for graduate school and a career in research
science. I learned how to prepare, carry-out, and publish research in
entomology, and these skills will help me throughout my schooling as
well as help me to rise to the top of my field.
This learning would have not been possible without the resources of
the National Museum of Natural History. My advisor, John Brown, has
so much knowledge and experience to offer. I was constantly seeking
advice from him, and he was so helpful every time. He offered insight
on every topic, from writing scientific papers to graduate school to
professionally carrying-out a research project.
This program had a unique dynamic; at the museum I was treated like
a colleague instead of an undergraduate intern. My work will be published
in an respectable international journal, not one just for undergraduates,
which is a rare opportunity for students. These experiences will help
me in the future when I am surronded by research scientists as my actual
colleagues.
Not only did I learn from my advisor and from the Department of Entomology,
but from other departments as well. The collections kept here are amazing,
and we were lucky enough to see them for almost every discipline. I
feel privileged to have seen collections that most people don't get
to see, and to learn how the museum operates and organizes its collections.
If I ever work in a museum in the future I will be extremely prepared.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity. I feel very lucky
to have been able to come do research at the National Museum of Natural
History.
Sincerely,
Kimberly Vann
Research Training Program
Class of '06