This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
I'm back, in Oklahoma and in the research saddle as it were; and I am as busy as ever.My research field trip to Tanzania was a success. I got a lot done and collected much data. Plus, I completed an entire behavioral experiment. And of course, I soaked in the culture, wildlife, and natural landscapes. Africa is beautiful.I hope to do more traveling within the country (for research purposes of course) for my next visit - in 2014.I would love to have a research assistant or two, or just a visitor from home to share the beauty and delight of Africa is fine, too.
I have hit the ground running and I’m working diligently to complete phase one of research with the Pouched Rats (which includes examining their reproductive biology and completing a series of individual exploratory behavior tests) because the rats. And their reproductive biology has my head spinning: fused vaginas, mysterious cycles, hidden pregnancies...
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And I'm doing a fair share of traveling and science outreach, too. So, I hope to see many of you soon. Check out my schedule and see if I'll be in a town near you this summer.
July 19- July 21, 2013. Memphis, Tennessee
Friday, July 19, 2013: I was invited to giving the closing remarks at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Summer Health Career Program.I’ll spend the weekend in my hometown and I hope to connect with people while I’m there. My weekend itinerary, in case you can make it or want to connect.
July 28- July 31, 2013. Boulder, Colorado
Monday, July 29, 2013 I am leading a Diversity, Science & Social Media Workshop for the Animal Behavior Society. This is my primary professional science society – grown up stuff. Plus, it gives me a chance to really gauge the responses I get from other scientists since I am definitely considering a career that fully embraces outreach and social media presence as a part of my ‘professional brand’. Which gets me to some of my even bigger news.
August 1 - 4, 2013. Orlando, Florida
Thursday, August 1, 2013: I will be participating in the National Association of Black Journalists Science Journalism 101 Workshop at their annual conference.For a few years I have been calling attention to the lack of science news directed at minority audiences. I am happy and proud that the NABJ has signaled its interests in training more African-America journalists to cover health and science related topics. I’m super excited about this opportunity, and this is where I am hoping to really break into new professional territory.Look out for future communiqués on how you can assist in this effort to bring science news to all audiences. In fact, if you’d like to join the ranks of my fellow scientists and science reporters who are interested in increasing news coverage of health, science, environment, tech, and engineering, then please shoot me a note.If you’re in the Orlando, Florida, area, then perhaps we could meet up.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013: I am giving a seminar talk at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. If you’re willing to trek to central California, then I would love to see you! I’ll be talking about my behavior research with the voles and the pouched rats.
I may be hard to catch in real life, but I'm easy to follow online.
Twitter (http://twitter.com/DNLee5)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheUrbanScientist?ref=hl)
My blog (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/urban-scientist/)
My Tanzania Research Adventures (http://tiny.cc/DispatchesDNLee)
-- Everyone who requested postcards should have gotten them by now; and I haven’t forgot souvenirs – last chance to participate in the comment contest – I will mail them out this week, unless we see each other in person.
