1 August 2008
Teresa Nichols
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dear Honorable Max Berry,
I would like to thank you for your generous contribution to the Research
Training Program (RTP) that supported my internship at the National
Museum of Natural History. This experience in RTP has benefited me greatly
both personally and professionally. On a personal level, I've met so
many wonderful people and gotten to see things I would never have otherwise
experienced. I've held a piece of Mars, observed researchers dissecting
a possible new species of beaked whale, and seen so many amazing examples
of the richness of our planet. Professionally, this opportunity has
allowed me to work with leading anthropologists, do research using cutting-edge
technology, and attend interdisciplinary collaborations, such as the
World Congress on Social Simulations. I know even now that all of these
experiences will be important to my later study. Being a part of RTP
will provide a great stepping stone for my future as it has enriched
my life so much in the present.
As an anthropologist and a citizen of a world confronted with the
implications of climate change, I know how important the relationship
between humans and their environment is. My research has allowed me
to explore the interaction between Mongolian societies, past and present,
and their environments as it is affected by climate and weather events.
I know that this work will be of great use in Mongolian archaeology,
and I believe it holds importance for such fields as ecology and public
policy as well. It has been a wonderful learning experience, allowing
me to build on earlier study and to learn new techniques and ideas.
The National Museum of Natural History itself is an excellent resource
in so many ways, from its intelligent and enthusiastic researchers to
its renowned and vast collections to the support and services it offers.
Even brief tours of the departments show the depth and quality that
NMNH possesses, and the people are equally, if not more, impressive.
The level of mentoring and all of the things I have learned could not
have been obtained anywhere else or without your support. Thank you
again for providing this opportunity that has already been so beneficial
to me. I am confident that my RTP experience will be invaluable to my
graduate studies in applied anthropology and later career.
Sincerely,
Teresa Nichols
Research Training Program
Class of '08