1 August 2008
Phillip Barden
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Dear Smithsonian Latino Initiatives,
As a child, when I would visit the Natural History Museum, I never
imagined that I would one day be working along side Smithsonian scientists,
uncovering the secrets of the living world. Even after I discovered
that I was selected to be a part of the Research Training Program, it
didn't fully sink in. It wasn't until I saw a particular storage unit
in the Ornithology department on the first day that I realized this
summer was going to be a milestone in my life, the cabinet was labeled
in modest handwriting "Darwin - Audubon - Wallace".
Since that moment, I have seen and heard countless things that inspire
me to do great science, shaping and cementing my career goals. My mentors
Dr. Schultz and Dr. Mehdiabadi provided invaluable insight into the
research world. The encouragement and guidance I received from the AntLab
serves as an exemplar in my mind of altruism and collaboration. I aspire
to become a holistic scientist, utilizing information from multiple
fields in order to attempt to answer questions in novel ways. This program
was ideal for my development in this way. I not only gained valuable
genetic and taxonomic skills that directly relate to my interests as
an organismal biologist, I was able to expand my breadth of knowledge
in new fields such as anthropology and geology.
I want to thank you for allowing me to take part in this amazing program.
I can't imagine a better place for me to have spent my summer, rather
than in Washington, at one of the world's premier research institutions.
I can only hope that more students will be funded by the Smithsonian
Latino Initiatives in the future, as this was truly a tremendous opportunity
that has had a major impact on my life.
Sincerely,
Phillip Barden
Research Training Program
Class of '08